Once again, strawberries top the list of the 12 "dirtiest" fruits and vegetables, according to the Environmental Working Group.

 

根据环境工作组发布的报告，草莓再次名列12种“最脏”果蔬榜单之首。

 

The list, published each year since 2004, ranks popular fruits and vegetables based on pesticide¹ contamination.

 

The group found that one third of all conventional, or non-organic, strawberry samples contained 10 or more pesticides². One sample of strawberries was found to have an "astounding³" 22 pesticide residues⁴, EWG said.

 

Spinach⁶, the second produce item on the list, contained pesticide residues in 97 percent of conventional, or non-organic, samples. Additionally, more than 98 percent of samples of strawberries, peaches, potatoes, nectarines, cherries and apples tested positive for residue⁵ of at least one pesticide, according to the activist⁷ group.

 

EWG emphasizes studies that show pesticides in high concentration can lead to health problems, especially in young children.

 

The report is based on tests conducted by the US Department of Agriculture and the Food and Drug Administration on more than 38,800 non-organic fruit and vegetable samples.

 

On another note, the EWG's "Clean Fifteen" list reveals the produce containing the least amount of pesticides.

 

"It is vitally important that everyone eats plenty of produce, but it is also wise to avoid dietary exposure to toxic⁸ pesticides, from conception through childhood," said Sonya Lunder, senior analyst⁹ with EWG.

 

Dirty Dozen

1. Strawberries

2. Spinach

3. Nectarines

4. Apples

5. Grapee

6. Peaches

7. Cherries

8. Pears

9. Tomatoes

10. Celery

11. Potatoes

12. Sweet bell peppers

 

Clean Fifteen

1. Avocados

2. Sweet corn

3. Pineapples

4. Cabbages

5. Onions

6. Sweet peas, frozen

7. Papayas

8. Asparagus

9. Mangoes

10. Eggplants

11. Honeydew melons

12. Kiwis

13. Cantaloupes

14. Cauliflower

15. Broccoli

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