If fruits and vegetables are part of any good balanced diet, half of those from non-organic agriculture would contain at least one pesticide residue dangerous to health in the long term, according to a study published in March 2022 by UFC-Que choisir. However, some plant products contain more than others. To better guide the consumer, the American association Environmental Working Group (EWG) has drawn up the list of the 12 fruits and vegetables containing the most pesticides this year, reports Ouest-France.

To compile this list, the association used "data from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the US Drug Administration (FDA)". Before each test, fruits and vegetables were washed, peeled or rubbed. According to their analyses, strawberries contain the most pesticides. Then come spinach, kale such as kale, peaches, pears, nectarines, apples, grapes, peppers, cherries, blackberries and finally green beans. This list brings together several products widely consumed according to the seasons, and sometimes declined in jams, compotes or sauces. As a reminder, some pesticides are suspected of being carcinogenic, or of containing endocrine disruptors.

How to limit the risks?

So how do you avoid consuming pesticides when eating fruits and vegetables? First of all, Arnaud Cocaul, a Parisian nutritionist doctor interviewed by Ouest-France, assured that all the fruits contained more or less traces of pesticides. To reduce the risks associated with them, he advised turning to local and seasonal products from organic sectors. "More than 85% of organic plants are free of hazardous pesticide residues," he said.



He also recommended that consumers eat a varied diet of fruits and vegetables, as this would reduce the impact of pesticide residues and the influence of endocrine disruptors. Finally, the expert indicated that it is essential to rinse with water for 30 seconds and peel fruits and vegetables. However, rinsing would have a very variable effectiveness. UFC-Que choisir recommended for its part "vinegar or bicarbonate baths of about ten minutes" with rubbing.

  • Health
  • Pesticides
  • Fruit
  • Vegetables
  • Fruits and vegetables
  • Agriculture