Provided by: www.ewg.org
What about washing?
Washing will not change the rank of the fruits and vegetables in the Guide. That's because nearly all of the data used to create these lists comes from the USDA Pesticide Data Program (PDP) where the foods are washed and prepared for normal consumption prior to testing for pesticides (apples are washed and cored, bananas are peeled, etc.).
While washing fresh produce may help reduce pesticide residues, it clearly does not eliminate them. Nonetheless, produce should be washed before it is eaten because washing does reduce levels of some pesticides. However, other pesticides are taken up internally into the plant, are in the fruit, and cannot be washed off. Others are formulated to bind to the surface of the crop and do not easily wash off. Peeling reduces exposures, but valuable nutrients often go down the drain with the peel.
The best option is to eat a varied diet, wash all produce, and choose organic when possible to reduce exposure to potentially harmful chemicals.
More From the EWG Food News:
Pesticides in Produce
Most Contaminated
Least Contaminated
Should I Stop Eating Certain Foods?
What about washing?
How We Measured Contamination
Why Reducing Pesticide Exposure is Smart
Doesn't the Government Regulate These Chemicals?
Are These Chemicals Bad For Me?
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