A recent study by Pesticide Action Network (PAN) found 95 per cent of strawberries analysed contained traces of pesticides This year’s “dirty dozen” – the 12 fruit and vegetables showing the highest levels of pesticides based on the latest government research – are apples, apricots, peaches and nectarines, grapes, strawberries, cherries, spinach, sprouts, cucumber, tomatoes, lettuce and beans.
However, this is based on very limited data. The roster of fruit and vegetables tested changes each year, and last year’s results, from which PAN’s latest list is taken, included just 15 fruits and vegetables, meaning only three escaped the list: avocados, cabbage and potatoes. Citrus fruit, which has previously been shown to be very high in pesticides, was not included in tests last year, so none appears on the list.
The PAN study showed that strawberries were the most likely to be contaminated by pesticides, with 95 per cent showing traces of PFAS. At least none of the strawberries contained pesticides above the Maximum Residue Limit (MRL). Most residues were below 10 per cent of the MRL.
There is no doubt that there is a correlation with demand for produce and consumers reading about pesticides on fresh produce.
