Apple, pear, strawberry? What fruits contain the most pesticides ? What vegetables ? Every year, the Environmental Working Group (EWG), an American organization dedicated to the protection of human health and the environment, publishes the list of fruits and vegetables that contain the most (and the least) pesticides. These data are based on analyzes by the Department of Agriculture and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). 46,569 samples of 46 fruits and vegetables have been reviewed.

List of fruits and vegetables that contain the most pesticides (in order)

1. Strawberry
2. Spinach
3. Kale, cabbage Kale
4. Fishing
5. Pear
6. Nectarine
7. Apple
8. Grape
9. Pepper
10. Cherry
11. Blueberry
12. green bean

The term “pesticide” is used to describe a substance that destroys or limits the impact of harmful organisms (plants, animals (insects, mites …), fungi, bacteria …). Pesticides are driven away by consumers because of their health harm highlighted by several studies. They could promote risk of the appearance of cancerous and neurological pathologies or even of reproductive disorders.

List of fruits and vegetables that contain the least pesticides (in order)

1. Carrot
2. Watermelon
3. Yam
4. Mango
5. Mushroom
6. Green cabbage
7. Kiwi
8. yellow melon
9. Asparagus
10. Pea
11. grandpa
12. Onion
13. Pineapple
14. But
15. Attorney

To reduce the consumption of pesticides, it is advisable toremove the skin from fruits and vegetables and wash them. Otherwise, you have to favor organicthe only label that guarantees that no synthetic pesticides have been used.

Source: Shopper’s Guide to Pesticides in Produce, EWG, 2023.