A balanced diet should consist of plenty of fruits and vegetables. However, it's concerning that around one in five of the produce tested by Consumer Reports contained high levels of pesticides.
An analysis of 59 popular fruits and vegetables revealed that pesticides presented significant dangers in 20% of them, including bell peppers, blueberries, green beans, potatoes, and strawberries. This information was disclosed by a non-profit consumer advocacy group on Thursday.
In its most thorough examination to date, CR reported that it studied data from the Department of Agriculture spanning over seven years. The Department tests a variety of conventional and organic produce annually, both locally grown and imported to the U.S., for pesticide residues.
"Our latest findings are continuing to raise concerns," reported CR. The study revealed high levels of chemicals used in farming to manage pests, fungi, and unwanted plants. Surprisingly, green beans were found to have residues of a pesticide that has not been permitted for vegetable use in the U.S. for over ten years.
Imported fruits and vegetables, especially those from Mexico, were found to have high levels of pesticide residues, according to CR.
The positive news is that there is no need to be concerned about pesticides in nearly two-thirds of produce, with the majority of organic fruits and vegetables found to be free from them.
The examination revealed that broccoli is considered safe due to the presence of low levels of higher-risk chemicals on only a few samples, despite having some pesticide residues.
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Consumer Reports has mentioned that plastic chemicals have been discovered in various types of food.
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Exposure to pesticides over a long period of time, especially during pregnancy or early childhood, can lead to health issues, as stated by James Rogers, a microbiologist in charge of food safety at CR.
CR recommends that consumers reduce their exposure to harmful pesticides by using their research to guide decisions, such as determining when it may be worth purchasing organic products despite their typically higher cost.
The results suggest that it's not necessary for people to completely eliminate higher-risk foods from their diets. Instead, it is recommended to consume these foods occasionally. Rogers stated that making healthier choices like sweet potatoes instead of white potatoes or snap peas in place of green beans can help in avoiding risky foods every time.
"The most ideal option is to choose organic for the high-risk items," suggested Rogers in an interview with CBS MoneyWatch, using blueberries as an example of a product where spending more money means reducing pesticide exposure. He specified a preference for the USDA organic label due to better regulations compared to organic imports.
Every year, thousands of workers fall ill due to pesticide poisoning. Research has found a connection between the use of various pesticides in the workplace and an increased risk of serious health issues like Parkinson's disease, breast cancer, and diabetes.
More articles from CBS News
Kate Gibson works as a journalist for CBS MoneyWatch in New York.
