The United States based Environmental Working Group has identified non-organic apples as the worst contaminated produce in its revised Guide to Pesticides in Produce. The organisation rated apples lowest on its ‘dirty dozen’ list of products which contain high levels of pesticide residues.

Research by the US Department of Agriculture and Food and Drug Administration revealed 98 per cent of conventionally grown apples contained detectable levels of pesticides.  The tests also revealed high levels of pesticide residues in celery, capsicum peppers, peaches, strawberries, nectarines, grapes, spinach, lettuce and cucumbers.

The EWG researchers examined tests carried out by the USDA and FDA on 60,700 samples taken of 45 popular fruits and vegetables conducted over a 10 year period. All samples had been washed and peeled prior to testing.

The EWG said consumers should still eat plenty of fruits and vegetables, but recommended opting for organic versions of high risk vegetables where possible. In Europe and the United States, organic produce is receiving a growing market share. Conversely, aside from successes in a small number of categories, the organic market in the UK has shrunk over the past few years.  

Ken Cook, president of the American environmental group said,  “The explosive growth in market share for organic produce in recent years testifies to a simple fact that pesticide companies and the farmers who use their products just can’t seem to grasp: people don’t like to eat food contaminated by pesticides. Our shopper’s guide to pesticides in produce gives consumers easy, affordable ways to eat a diet rich in fruits and vegetables while avoiding most of the bug killers, fungicides and other chemicals in produce and other foods.”

Asparagus, avocado, cabbage, grapefruit, watermelon, aubergine, pineapples, mushrooms, onions, frozen peas and sweet potatoes were found to be relatively pesticide free.

However, food experts from the University of California Davis said more information is needed about amounts of pesticides found and consumed before any definite conclusions can be reached from the study. Even EWG president Cook said, "The health benefits of a diet rich in fruits and vegetables outweigh the risks of pesticide exposure."

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