12 dirtiest fruits and vegetables of 2016

Strawberries top the list of 12 fruits and vegetables containing the most pesticides in 2016 in the US, announced by the EWG organization.

While farmers use pesticides to eliminate pests on food, the USDA constantly tests them to prevent chemicals from entering consumers' daily meals, according to CNN. They focus especially on products consumed by children, because their developing bodies are more vulnerable to chemicals.

Strawberries were the most pesticide-laden food in the US in 2016.

Statistics from EWG (Enviromental Working Group), an international environmental organization in the US, show that the 12 foods containing the most pesticides in 2016 are:

Strawberry; Apple; Nectarine; Peach; Celery; Grape; Cherries; Spinach; Tomato; Bell Pepper; Cherry Tomato; Cucumber.

98% of strawberry samples tested contained high levels of pesticides, some chemicals are relatively benign, others can increase the risk of cancer, cause infertility, hormonal disorders and neurological problems.

Strawberries are a seasonal fruit, but are heavily treated with pesticides to increase yields and extend the growing season. In California, the largest strawberry producer in the US, each acre of strawberries is treated with more than 300 pounds of pesticides. Most of these pesticides evaporate into toxic fumes that can drift into nearby schools and residential areas.

Celery

"The EPA's acceptable pesticide residue levels on food are unlikely to protect the health of Americans," said Sonya Lunder, senior analyst at EWG. "They need to update their research to understand that very small doses of toxic chemicals can be harmful, especially to young children."

Spinach is also a vegetable on the list.

Recent studies of pesticides used on some fruits and vegetables, including strawberries, show that children exposed to high levels are at increased risk of developing attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). The study also found that pesticide levels in elementary school students were highest in the summer, when they had the most exposure to fresh produce.

"Fruits and vegetables are important for human health. But for the foods on this list, we recommend buying organic if you want to avoid pesticides," said Lunder.

EWG's report uses testing data from the US Department of Agriculture and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

According to Zing