Announcing the dirtiest and cleanest vegetables of 2018
Among the 12 dirtiest fruits and vegetables in America, strawberries rank number one because they can contain up to 20 types of pesticides.
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| Strawberries are the dirtiest fruit in 2018. Photo: Internet |
To protect consumer health, every year the Environmental Working Group, a non-governmental organization, releases a list of the 12 dirtiest fruits and vegetables. This year, for the third consecutive year, strawberries topped the list. Next were spinach, nectarines, apples, grapes, peaches, cherries, pears, tomatoes, celery, potatoes, and bell peppers.
According toCNNThe list was selected from 47 non-organic fruits and vegetables based on six criteria, including the amount and residue of pesticides. The results showed that one strawberry sample was contaminated with up to 20 pesticides. Spinach samples also contained 1.8 times more pesticide residue than other crops.
In addition to the 12 fruits and vegetables listed, the Environmental Working Group warned the community to be careful with chili peppers after discovering they contain neurotoxins.
It has long been scientifically proven that pesticides are harmful to humans, especially children. The American Academy of Pediatrics points out that pesticides can lead to chronic health complications including neurodevelopmental and behavioral problems, birth defects, asthma and cancer. Children exposed to pesticides while still in the womb are also at risk.
To reduce the risk, the Environmental Working Group recommends that consumers who want to eat agricultural products on the list of 12 dirtiest fruits and vegetables should only buy organic products. In addition, remember to wash them before use for at least 30 seconds with clean water or a solution of water and baking soda as suggested by the University of Massachusetts. Cooking is also an effective method to help reduce toxins.
In addition to the 12 dirtiest fruits and vegetables, the Environmental Working Group also compiled a list of the 15 cleanest fruits and vegetables. Avocado is at the top of the list. The next places belong to corn, pineapple, cabbage, onions, frozen peas, papaya, asparagus, mango, eggplant, cantaloupe, kiwi, cantaloupe, cauliflower and broccoli.
