The Environmental Working Group (EWG) added blackberries and potatoes to its “Dirty Dozen” record of produce containing probably the most residue of probably dangerous pesticides.
Blackberries and potatoes landed in spots No. 10 and No. 12, respectively, on the up to date record launched Wednesday. They had been added based mostly on new information from the U.S. Division of Agriculture (USDA), which examined blackberries for the primary time in 2023.
The USDA information discovered that 93 p.c of blackberry samples had pesticide residues, with a median of 4 completely different pesticides per pattern. Greater than half of blackberry samples contained residue of the pesticide cypermethrin — which the Environmental Safety Company (EPA) classifies as a potential human carcinogen.
Potatoes landed on the record after USDA launched new information exhibiting 90 p.c of samples contained chlorpropham, a chemical banned within the European Union due to well being considerations.
The legacy produce nonetheless topped the “Dirty Dozen” record.
Spinach ranked No. 1, with extra pesticide residue by weight than some other sort of produce, and strawberries adopted at No. 2.
“Kale, Collard, and Mustard Greens” collectively positioned No. 3 — and EWG famous that greater than half of kale samples had been “tainted” by a “possibly cancer-causing pesticide.”
The “Dirty Dozen” record ranked grapes as No. 4, peaches as No. 5, cherries as No. 6, nectarines as No. 7, pears as No. 8, apples as No. 9, blackberries as No. 10, blueberries as No. 11 and potatoes as No. 12.
The information analyzed pesticide residue information from USDA assessments of greater than 53,000 samples of 47 fruit and veggies, EWG stated in a press launch. The assessments are carried out after the produce samples are washed, scrubbed or peeled, “as is typical for each type of produce.”
EWG stated the pesticide residue remained on the produce, however washing fruit and veggies “remains an important step to reduce pesticide levels, dirt, and possible bacterial contamination.”
EWG encourages shoppers to purchase natural produce if they don’t need to keep away from the “Dirty Dozen” produce objects.
EWG additionally publishes a “Clean Fifteen” record of produce with total decrease ranges of toxicity. Pineapples led that record this yr, adopted by candy corn (recent and frozen), avocados, papayas and onion as the highest 5 produce objects.
Nos. 6-15 included candy peas (frozen), asparagus, cabbage, watermelon, cauliflower, bananas, mangoes, carrots, mushrooms, and kiwi.
EWG stated practically 60 p.c of conventionally grown produce on the “Clean Fifteen” record had “no detectable pesticide residues,” whereas greater than 9 in 10 samples of produce on the “Dirty Dozen” record contained residues of probably dangerous pesticides.
