Produce Without Pesticides

On February 16, 2025 By newsroom Topic: Food Guide

Key Findings on Pesticides in Produce

  • Significant Risks: 20% of the analyzed foods, including bell peppers, blueberries, green beans, potatoes, and strawberries, contained concerning pesticide levels.
  • Illegal Pesticides: Green beans were found to have residues of acephate and methamidophos, banned on green beans since 2011 and all foods since 2009.
  • Import Concerns: Produce imported from Mexico posed higher risks, with strawberries and green beans being repeat offenders.
  • Safer Choices: Nearly two-thirds of the produce analyzed posed minimal pesticide risk, especially organic varieties.

CR's Produce Risk Ratings

| Risk Level | What It Means |
|---------------------|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| Very Low Risk | Safe to eat more than 10 servings a day. |
| Low Risk | Up to 10 servings a day. |
| Moderate Risk | Up to 3 servings a day. |
| High Risk | Limit to 1 serving a day (or less for children and pregnant individuals). |
| Very High Risk | No more than ½ serving a day. Consider substituting or opting for organic. |


High-Risk Foods

  • Bell peppers, blueberries, potatoes, strawberries, and green beans were often flagged for unsafe pesticide residues.
  • Watermelon contained high levels of oxamyl, a pesticide linked to serious health risks.

Steps to Reduce Pesticide Exposure

1 Focus on Low-Risk Produce

  • Examples: Broccoli, cabbage, bananas, asparagus, and organic spinach.
  • Swap higher-risk foods (e.g., green beans snap peas; watermelon cantaloupe).

2 Buy Organic When It Matters Most

  • Organic farming prohibits most synthetic pesticides and reduces pesticide exposure significantly.
  • Especially consider organic for high-risk foods, young children, and during pregnancy.

3 Avoid Problematic Imports

  • Imported foods, particularly from Mexico, are more likely to carry banned pesticides.
  • Check packaging for the country of origin, especially for green beans and strawberries.

4 Rinse and Prep Wisely

  • Wash produce under running water for 15–20 seconds to remove surface residues.
  • Peeling can help but doesn’t eliminate all risks as some pesticides penetrate the produce.

Health Risks of Pesticides

  • Linked to cancer, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and Parkinson’s disease.
  • Greater harm to vulnerable populations like pregnant individuals, children, and farmworkers.
  • Certain pesticides disrupt hormones and may impair reproductive and developmental systems.

Call for Regulatory Changes

  • Ban Organophosphates & Carbamates: These two pesticide classes account for most risks.
  • Improve import inspections to prevent banned pesticides on foreign-grown produce.
  • Expand organic farming support to increase supply and lower prices.

Experts' Bottom Line

  • Opt for low-risk or organic produce when possible.

  • Limit consumption of high- and very high-risk foods.

  • Support systemic changes by demanding stricter regulations on harmful pesticides.

By making smarter choices and advocating for better regulations, you can protect your health while enjoying the benefits of fruits and vegetables.


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