Better Buy Organic: Update on Pesticides on Food

The presence of pesticides in our food is one of the most compelling arguments for the promotion of organic fruits and vegetables. Even though we often can't actually see the residue of pesticides on the food that we buy, the knowledge that we are ingesting and absorbing bug-killing chemicals into our body is enough to make anyone squirm, particularly when so many medical studies have come out linking pesticide consumption to a myriad of health problems. But the unfortunate reality is that not everything is organic, nor will it be anytime soon. more unfortunate is that organic is still considerably more expensive than conventional produce, averaging $1.60 more than every conventional product. The higher price puts organic food out of the reach of most families in the U.S.

But even if you can't afford to buy organic all the time, there are some fruits and vegetables that you really should try to buy organic and others where it doesn't matter quite so much, at least for the consumer. Lots of experts publish lists of what really ought to only be eaten if it is organic, the so-called "dirty dozen." These are vegetables and fruits that should absolutely be avoided unless they are certified organic due to the extremely high levels of pesticides found in the skin and flesh even after washing. The list includes celery, strawberries, domestic blueberries, peaches, apples, imported grapes, raspberries, lettuces, spinach, bell peppers, and more. These and other fruits and vegetables not only are often sprayed with heavier amounts of pesticides but also absorb more of the chemicals. Even though the organic variety is usually at least 50 percent more expensive, these are so full of pesticides it's well worth spending the extra money. Likewise, there are also certain fruits and vegetable that consistently carry very low levels of pesticides, and are safe to buy conventional. Some examples are avocados, mangoes, pineapples, corn, and onions, among others.

In any case, if you have no choice but to buy conventional produce, there are some things you can do to protect your body. Try to buy produce locally and in season, even if it's not organic. The less travel and storage time the produce has experience, the fewer chemicals it's likely been exposed to. And always, always wash your produce. And never mind those special sprays and veggie washes; plain old cold water is the best bet.

Just because food is labeled organic doesn't technically mean that it hasn't been exposed to some pesticides, but it does mean that if pesticides were used to protect the produce from bugs it was something like Bt, which is certified for organic growers. The limited number of pesticides that are allowed in certified organic farming are harmless to humans and other life. Regardless of the many studies that have found connections between pesticides and health issues, it's still hard to say what the tangible impact of consuming so many pesticides--not to mention antibiotics, herbicides, and other additives and toxins--could be. In my mind, there's no doubt that the consumption of these chemicals isn't very good for us, and should be avoided if possible. Buy wisely!