Celery
(image via: Chicago Tribune)
The 2010 Shopper’s Guide to Pesticides in Produce pinpointed celery as the type of produce most likely to be contaminated by pesticides. Part of the problem is celery’s long growing season combined with the structure of the plant: chemicals settling to the base of the stalks are not easily washed away by rain and irrigation.
(images via: Take Part and Red Green & Blue)
According to the USDA, up to 64 different pesticides have been detected on harvested celery. These include Chlorantraniliprole and Spinosad which are used to deter infestations of moths, caterpillars and beetles. Another common insecticide found in and on celery is Intrepid 2F (methoxyfenozide) which is toxic if swallowed in large doses… so swallowing small doses over a long period of time is OK?
Peaches
(image via: Associated Newspapers Ltd., Brendan Beirne, Rex Features)
“Moving to the country, gonna eat a lot of peaches…” Better make those organic peaches, unless you want to start peeling your peaches before you eat them. No wait, a 2002 study published in the Bulletin of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology found measurable residues of multiple pesticides in both fresh and canned peaches.
(images via: Chiro One and Diva Dietician)
Blame that delightful peach fuzz for giving this noble fruit a bad rap when it comes to retained toxins. Unlike other tree fruits, the comparatively rough skin distinctive to peaches makes a remarkably effective “sponge” that grabs applied chemicals and resists light washing. What does this mean? Well, a Rainy Night in Georgia just doesn’t cut it when you’re trying to avoid chemical contaminants on your favorite fruits.
Spinach
(images via: The Conversation and Web MD)
A 2010 study by researchers at Mahidol University in Bangkok came to the surprising conclusion that children ate more vegetables after watching Popeye cartoons on television. Great… oh, wait: USDA testing revealed the presence of 48 different pesticide residues on farmed spinach of which 8 are known or probable carcinogens. This is good news… for Bluto.
(image via: Generation Green)
Let’s not demonize poor Popeye so quickly, however, as he only EATS spinach and doesn’t grow it. Fresh spinach is a valuable source of iron, anti-oxidants and phyto-nutrients essential to good health. To avoid those other, not-so-healthy chemicals and compounds, make sure the spinach you eat comes from organic sources.
