Top Produce Items with High Levels of Specific Pesticides: Blueberries, Strawberries, Spinach, Nectarines, Apples and Bell Peppers

Washington D.C., District of Columbia, USA United States of America
Consumer Reports identified these foods as problematic due to neurotoxic organophosphates and possible human carcinogen acephate.
Conventionally grown blueberries, strawberries, spinach, nectarines, apples and bell peppers have high levels of specific pesticides.
Imported produce from Mexico was particularly likely to carry risky levels of pesticide residues, including strawberries and green beans.
Top Produce Items with High Levels of Specific Pesticides: Blueberries, Strawberries, Spinach, Nectarines, Apples and Bell Peppers

In a recent analysis of pesticide residues in fruits and vegetables, both Consumer Reports and the Environmental Working Group (EWG) identified several produce items as posing significant risks due to high levels of specific pesticides. According to their findings, conventionally grown blueberries, strawberries, spinach, nectarines, apples and bell peppers are among the most problematic foods in this regard.

Consumer Reports analyzed data from the Department of Agriculture's pesticide residue monitoring program and found that two-thirds of these fruits and vegetables are ranked low or very low risk. However, conventionally grown versions of blueberries, strawberries, spinach, nectarines, apples and bell peppers pose a serious problem due to high levels of specific pesticides.

One food - green beans - had residues of a pesticide that hasn't been allowed for use on vegetables in the US for over a decade. Imported produce, especially from Mexico, was particularly likely to carry risky levels of pesticide residues.

The most contaminated imports were strawberries, typically the frozen variety. Mexican strawberries contain neurotoxic organophosphates, which can overstimulate the nervous system and disrupt developing nervous systems in infants and children.

Imported green beans, even those labeled organic, tested high for the organophosphate insecticide acephate which is considered a possible human carcinogen. Nearly all tested green beans were contaminated with acephate. The US Environmental Protection Agency prohibited its use on green beans in 2011.

Consumer Reports identified blueberries, strawberries, bell peppers, potatoes, green beans and kale as top culprits of pesticide-laden produce along with watermelon containing oxamyl. Oxamyl is a carbamate insecticide that affects the functioning of the nervous system.

Organophosphates are main components of nerve gas, herbicides, pesticides and insecticides and are also used to create plastics and solvents. They have been linked to low sperm count, childhood attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, neurodevelopmental deficits in childhood including reduced IQ, perceptual reasoning and memory.

Consumer Reports found that only 20% of produce tested by the USDA contained significant risks from specific pesticides. The organization provides a chart listing produce by pesticide concern with the lowest levels listed as 'okay to eat more than 10 servings a day' and highly contaminated foods listed as 'okay to eat up to 1/4 serving a day'.

Cleaning fruits and vegetables before eating reduces pesticide levels but there is no method of washing produce that is 100% effective for removing all pesticide residues. Wash produce under running water instead of soaking, don't use soap or commercial produce wash, and dry with a clean cloth or paper towel to reduce bacteria further.

Switching to organic versions when trying to avoid contaminated produce is recommended as the majority have little to no pesticide residue.


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Confidence

91%

Doubts
  • Are there any other produce items with high levels of specific pesticides that were not mentioned in the study?
  • What are the exact names and quantities of the specific pesticides found on these produce items?

Sources

79%

The overall score is a weighted number that takes into account conflict of interest, bias, deception and other practices that undermine the credibility of the source. It is calculated as:
(Site Conflicts Of Interest + Author Conflicts Of Interest) / 2.0 * 0.2 + ArticleBiasScore * 0.20 + UniquePointsScore * 0.05 + DeceptionScore * 0.20 + ReadabilityScore * 0.05 + FallacyScore * 0.20

A score that takes into consideration the content for flow, interruptions with ads, and overt search engine optimization techniques that makes the content hard to understand

Kale, watermelon and even some organic foods pose high pesticide risk, analysis finds

theguardian.com Article URL: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/feb/13/ pakistan-·coalition-·agrees-to-form-government Jane Spencer Thursday, 18 April 2024 10:00
  • Unique Points
    • One green bean sample had methamidophos levels 100 times above Consumer Reports’ safety limit, despite it being banned for over a decade.
    • Mexican strawberries contain neurotoxic organophosphates, which can overstimulate the nervous system and disrupt developing nervous systems in infants and children.
  • Accuracy
    • Watermelon is among the high-risk conventionally grown produce.
    • Green beans are among the high-risk conventionally grown produce.
    • Imported organic green beans carry a high risk of pesticides that are not approved for organic farming.
  • Deception (30%)
    The article makes several statements that could be considered deceptive or misleading. First, the title implies that all organic foods pose a high risk of pesticide contamination when only a few do. Second, the article states that 'Consumer Reports found that pesticide residue posed a significant risk in roughly 20% of the 59 common foods examined in its research.' However, it later states that 'only 4% of green bean samples tested had high-risk levels of pesticides.' This discrepancy suggests selective reporting. Third, the article states that 'Mexican strawberries contained oxydemeton-methyl,' but it does not mention that this pesticide is banned in the US and on imports. This omission could be considered a lie by omission. Fourth, the article states that 'Consumer Reports scientists have stricter standards for what they consider safe than those of the Environmental Protection Agency.' However, it does not provide any evidence to support this claim or explain how these stricter standards are more accurate. This lack of transparency could be considered emotional manipulation as it is intended to make readers distrust the EPA and trust Consumer Reports without providing any concrete evidence.
    • Consumer Reports found that pesticide residue posed a significant risk in roughly 20% of the 59 common foods examined in its research.
    • The title: Kale, watermelon and even some organic foods pose high pesticide risk, analysis finds
    • Mexican strawberries contained oxydemeton-methyl.
  • Fallacies (85%)
    The article contains several informal fallacies and appeals to authority. It also uses inflammatory rhetoric and makes dichotomous depictions.
    • . The new report – which analyzed seven years of US Department of Agriculture data on commonly eaten fruits and vegetables – offers one of the most comprehensive evaluations to date of pesticides found in US produce.
    • The data was based on nearly 30,000 fruit and vegetable samples, including fresh, frozen, canned and organic...
    • But even a few organic foods posed some risk. For example, imported green beans carried a high risk and domestic potatoes a moderate one – raising questions about how these organic crops were contaminated with high-risk pesticides that are not approved for organic farming.
    • The Alliance for Food and Farming, a farming industry organization, notes that 99% of vegetables tested by the USDA meet government safety standards for pesticide residue. But many scientists – including those behind the Consumer Reports study – believe the EPA tolerances are often set far too high, putting consumers at risk.
  • Bias (90%)
    The author uses language that depicts conventionally grown produce as posing a significant risk and organic produce as having far less pesticide residue. The author also mentions specific pesticides found on imported produce from Mexico, implying danger. However, the article does not provide any direct quotes or examples of the author expressing bias towards a specific political or ideological stance.
    • ]Consumer Reports found that pesticide residue posed a significant risk in roughly 20% of the 59 common foods examined in its research.[
      • Mexican strawberries contained oxydemeton-methyl, part of a group of pesticides called organophosphates that are neurotoxins.
      • Site Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
        None Found At Time Of Publication
      • Author Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
        None Found At Time Of Publication

      81%

      The overall score is a weighted number that takes into account conflict of interest, bias, deception and other practices that undermine the credibility of the source. It is calculated as:
      (Site Conflicts Of Interest + Author Conflicts Of Interest) / 2.0 * 0.2 + ArticleBiasScore * 0.20 + UniquePointsScore * 0.05 + DeceptionScore * 0.20 + ReadabilityScore * 0.05 + FallacyScore * 0.20

      A score that takes into consideration the content for flow, interruptions with ads, and overt search engine optimization techniques that makes the content hard to understand

      Fresh and frozen imported strawberries highly contaminated with pesticides, report says

      CNN News Site: In-Depth Reporting and Analysis with Some Financial Conflicts and Sensational Language Sandee LaMotte Thursday, 18 April 2024 10:00
      • Unique Points
        • Consumer Reports found that 65 of 100 samples of the most contaminated produce were imported, with 52 of those samples originating from Mexico.
        • Strawberries, typically the frozen variety, were identified as the most contaminated imports.
        • Imported green beans, even those labeled organic, tested high for the organophosphate insecticide acephate which is considered a possible human carcinogen.
        • Nearly all tested green beans were contaminated with acephate. The US Environmental Protection Agency prohibited its use on green beans in 2011.
        • Consumer Reports identified blueberries, strawberries, bell peppers, potatoes, green beans and kale as top culprits of pesticide-laden produce along with watermelon containing oxamyl. Oxamyl is a carbamate insecticide that affects the functioning of the nervous system.
        • Organophosphates are main components of nerve gas, herbicides, pesticides and insecticides and are also used to create plastics and solvents. They have been linked to low sperm count, childhood attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, neurodevelopmental deficits in childhood including reduced IQ, perceptual reasoning and memory.
        • Consumer Reports found that only 20% of produce tested by the USDA contained significant risks from specific pesticides. The organization provides a chart listing produce by pesticide concern with the lowest levels listed as ‘okay to eat more than 10 servings a day’ and highly contaminated foods listed as ‘okay to eat up to 1/4 serving a day’.
        • Cleaning fruits and vegetables before eating reduces pesticide levels but there is no method of washing produce that is 100% effective for removing all pesticide residues. Wash produce under running water instead of soaking, don’t use soap or commercial produce wash, and dry with a clean cloth or paper towel to reduce bacteria further.
        • Switching to organic versions when trying to avoid contaminated produce is recommended as the majority have little to no pesticide residue.
      • Accuracy
        No Contradictions at Time Of Publication
      • Deception (30%)
        The article makes several statements that could be considered deceptive or misleading. The author uses emotional manipulation by stating that some produce is 'highly contaminated' and contains 'concerning levels of pesticides'. While it is true that some produce may contain pesticides, the author does not provide any context as to what constitutes a 'concerning level' or how these levels compare to acceptable limits. The article also uses selective reporting by focusing on the highest contaminated samples and ignoring the fact that only 20% of produce tested contained significant risks. Additionally, the article implies that all imported produce is highly contaminated when only 65 out of 100 samples were imported and 52 of those samples originated from Mexico. The author also makes a false statement by stating that acephate, an organophosphate insecticide, was found on green beans labeled organic. However, the article does not provide any evidence to support this claim and it is important to note that the USDA organic certification prohibits the use of prohibited pesticides including acephate in organic production.
        • Nearly all the tested green beans were contaminated with acephate
        • Some fresh, frozen and canned nonorganic fruits and vegetables are contaminated with concerning levels of pesticides, according to an investigation by Consumer Reports
        • The majority of the highly contaminated imports were strawberries, typically the frozen variety
      • Fallacies (85%)
        The author makes an appeal to authority by quoting Consumer Reports and the Food Industry Association without providing any critical analysis or evaluation of their claims. The author also uses inflammatory rhetoric by describing pesticides as 'concerning levels' and 'significant risks', but does not provide any evidence or context to support these claims.
        • Some of the highest levels of pesticides were found in produce imported into the United States, according to the report released Thursday.
        • The Food Industry Association told CNN that ‘All pesticides go through an extensive review process by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to ensure they are safe for human consumption and to establish tolerances, the maximum residue limit permitted on or in a food.’
        • The US Food and Drug Administration is responsible ‘for monitoring and enforcing EPA’s tolerances for pesticides in food, including foods imported into the U.S.’
      • Bias (95%)
        The author expresses a clear bias against pesticides and their use in produce, particularly imported produce. She quotes experts who express concern over the potential health risks of pesticides and criticizes the EPA for not setting more stringent safety limits. The article also implies that organic produce is superior to conventionally grown produce due to its lack of pesticide residue.
        • Being exposed to a variety of foods without pesticides is especially important during pregnancy and throughout childhood.
          • Nearly all the tested green beans were contaminated with acephate, an organophosphate insecticide that is considered a possible human carcinogen.
            • Some fresh, frozen and canned nonorganic fruits and vegetables are contaminated with concerning levels of pesticides
              • The majority of the highly contaminated imports were strawberries, typically the frozen variety
                • We don’t think specific pesticides safety levels the EPA agreed upon are protecting our health. The levels are also not updated very often
                • Site Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
                  None Found At Time Of Publication
                • Author Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
                  None Found At Time Of Publication

                92%

                The overall score is a weighted number that takes into account conflict of interest, bias, deception and other practices that undermine the credibility of the source. It is calculated as:
                (Site Conflicts Of Interest + Author Conflicts Of Interest) / 2.0 * 0.2 + ArticleBiasScore * 0.20 + UniquePointsScore * 0.05 + DeceptionScore * 0.20 + ReadabilityScore * 0.05 + FallacyScore * 0.20

                A score that takes into consideration the content for flow, interruptions with ads, and overt search engine optimization techniques that makes the content hard to understand

                Pesticides pose a significant risk in 20% of fruits and vegetables, Consumer Reports finds

                CBS News Site: https://www.cbsnews.com/articles/about-us/ Kate Gibson Thursday, 18 April 2024 13:54
                • Unique Points
                  • Consumer Reports found pesticides posed significant risks in 20% of the examined fruits and vegetables.
                  • , One food - green beans - had residues of a pesticide that hasn’t been allowed for use on vegetables in the US for over a decade.
                  • Imported produce, especially from Mexico, was particularly likely to carry risky levels of pesticide residues.
                • Accuracy
                  • Two-thirds of these foods are ranked low or very low risk, but conventionally grown versions of blueberries, strawberries, spinach, nectarines, apples and bell peppers pose a serious problem due to high levels of specific pesticides.
                  • Imported green beans, mostly from Mexico. Even imported organic green beans were very high-risk due to illegal use and inadequate oversight of imports.
                  • Close to half of all domestic conventional samples of green beans tested positive for oxamyl or its breakdown product, oxamyl oxime.
                  • Nearly all domestic conventional samples of hot peppers had residue of chlorpropham, a carbamate pesticide.
                • Deception (70%)
                  The article makes several statements that imply a risk from pesticides in fruits and vegetables without providing clear evidence or linking to peer-reviewed studies. The author also provides advice on limiting exposure to harmful pesticides and suggests certain food swaps, which could be seen as editorializing or pontificating. Additionally, the article mentions health problems arising from long-term exposure or during pregnancy/early childhood without providing specific evidence.
                  • An examination of 59 common fruits and vegetables found pesticides posed significant risks in 20% of them
                  • The best choice is to eat organic for the very high-risk items
                • Fallacies (100%)
                  None Found At Time Of Publication
                • Bias (100%)
                  None Found At Time Of Publication
                • Site Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
                  None Found At Time Of Publication
                • Author Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
                  None Found At Time Of Publication

                97%

                The overall score is a weighted number that takes into account conflict of interest, bias, deception and other practices that undermine the credibility of the source. It is calculated as:
                (Site Conflicts Of Interest + Author Conflicts Of Interest) / 2.0 * 0.2 + ArticleBiasScore * 0.20 + UniquePointsScore * 0.05 + DeceptionScore * 0.20 + ReadabilityScore * 0.05 + FallacyScore * 0.20

                A score that takes into consideration the content for flow, interruptions with ads, and overt search engine optimization techniques that makes the content hard to understand

                EWG’s 2024 Shopper’s Guide to Pesticides in Produce™

                EWG (Environmental Working Group) Environmental Working Thursday, 18 April 2024 13:54
                • Unique Points
                  • EWG’s 2024 Dirty Dozen is loaded with fungicides that can disrupt human hormone systems.
                  • Four of the five most frequently detected chemicals are fungicides: fludioxonil, pyraclostrobin, boscalid and pyrimethanil.
                  • Fludioxonil and pyrimethanil are endocrine disruptors with potential to harm the male reproductive system.
                  • 75% of all conventional fresh produce sampled had residues of potentially harmful pesticides.
                • Accuracy
                  • ,
                • Deception (100%)
                  None Found At Time Of Publication
                • Fallacies (95%)
                  The article makes several assertions about the potential harm of pesticides on human hormone systems and specifically mentions four fungicides: fludioxonil, pyraclostrobin, boscalid, and pyrimethanil. The author states that these chemicals may be endocrine disruptors without providing any explicit evidence or citations to support this claim. This is an example of an Appeal to Authority fallacy as the author is relying on their own authority (as a scientific team) rather than providing concrete evidence or research to back up their claims.
                  • ]The four of the five most frequently detected chemicals on the Dirty Dozen are fungicides: fludioxonil, pyraclostrobin, boscalid and pyrimethanil.[
                  • Two of these, fludioxonil and pyrimethanil, also show up in the highest average concentrations of any pesticides found on the Dirty Dozen.
                  • Both fungicides may be endocrine disruptors with potential to harm the male reproductive system.
                • Bias (100%)
                  None Found At Time Of Publication
                • Site Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
                  None Found At Time Of Publication
                • Author Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
                  None Found At Time Of Publication

                95%

                The overall score is a weighted number that takes into account conflict of interest, bias, deception and other practices that undermine the credibility of the source. It is calculated as:
                (Site Conflicts Of Interest + Author Conflicts Of Interest) / 2.0 * 0.2 + ArticleBiasScore * 0.20 + UniquePointsScore * 0.05 + DeceptionScore * 0.20 + ReadabilityScore * 0.05 + FallacyScore * 0.20

                A score that takes into consideration the content for flow, interruptions with ads, and overt search engine optimization techniques that makes the content hard to understand

                6 Fruits and Vegetables Loaded With Pesticides

                www.consumerreports.org Catherine Roberts Thursday, 18 April 2024 13:56
                • Unique Points
                  • Consumer Reports analyzed data from the Department of Agriculture's pesticide residue monitoring program to identify fruits and vegetables with the greatest risk from pesticides.
                  • Two-thirds of these foods are ranked low or very low risk, but conventionally grown versions of blueberries, strawberries, spinach, nectarines, apples and bell peppers pose a serious problem due to high levels of specific pesticides.
                  • Conventional frozen blueberries also posed a very high risk due to contamination with phosmet.
                  • Close to half of all domestic conventional samples of green beans tested positive for oxamyl or its breakdown product, oxamyl oxime.
                  • Nearly all domestic conventional samples of hot peppers had residue of chlorpropham, a carbamate pesticide.
                  • Acephate levels were particularly high in imported green beans, mostly from Mexico. Even imported organic green beans were very high-risk due to illegal use and inadequate oversight of imports.
                • Accuracy
                  • Nearly all domestic conventional samples of hot peppers had residue of chlorpropham.
                  • Imported green beans, even those labeled organic, tested high for the organophosphate insecticide acephate which is considered a possible human carcinogen.
                • Deception (100%)
                  None Found At Time Of Publication
                • Fallacies (90%)
                  The article provides data from the USDA's pesticide residue monitoring program and identifies specific fruits and vegetables with high levels of pesticides. The author uses clear language to explain the risks associated with each item and offers suggestions for safer alternatives. However, there are a few instances of inflammatory rhetoric that could be considered, such as 'pesticides pose a serious problem' and 'it's likely because'. These statements do not provide any new information or evidence beyond what is already presented in the data. Additionally, there is an appeal to authority with the mention of Consumer Reports and the USDA. Overall, while there are some minor issues with inflammatory language and appeals to authority, the article provides valuable information about pesticide levels in fruits and vegetables.
                  • ]One in 5 samples of domestic, conventional blueberries had residue of phosmet[
                  • Close to half of all domestic, conventional samples of this vegetable tested positive for oxamyl or its breakdown product, oxamyl oxime[
                  • Nearly all domestic, conventional samples had residue of chlorpropham
                • Bias (95%)
                  The author expresses a clear bias towards organic produce over conventional produce, implying that conventional produce is dangerous due to the presence of pesticides. This bias is evident in her repeated use of phrases like 'very high risk' and 'serious problem' when discussing conventionally grown fruits and vegetables, while suggesting organic alternatives as safer choices.
                  • Better choice: Opting for organic is likely the best choice here, or consuming these foods sparingly.
                    • Better choice: Organic kale and mustard greens. Broccoli also posed a very low risk and has similar nutritional benefits.
                      • Better choice: Sweet potatoes. They posed a low risk, and are a nutritional powerhouse to boot.
                        • Key takeaway: Acephate levels were particularly high in imported green beans, mostly from Mexico. Even imported organic green beans were very high-risk, the only organic food with that rating.
                          • Key takeaway: Conventional frozen blueberries also posed a very high risk. Several years of USDA data suggests that contamination with phosmet may be increasing, as growers use it as an alternative to other even more harmful pesticides.
                            • Key takeaway: USDA testers wash all produce before testing, and measure pesticide levels on the edible portion of a fruit or vegetable. So in this case, the pesticides are not just on the rind of the watermelon.
                              • Key takeaway: While not the riskiest pesticide, chlorpropham was found on nearly all samples. That’s likely because it’s typically sprayed on potatoes just before they are bagged, to keep them from sprouting. Organic potatoes may be inadvertently contaminated when they are processed in the same facility as conventional ones.
                                • To help consumers identify the fruits and vegetables that posed the greatest risk from pesticides, Consumer Reports recently analyzed seven years of data from the Department of Agriculture’s pesticide residue monitoring program. While two-thirds of these foods are ranked low or very low risk, pesticides pose a serious problem in conventionally grown versions of the following six fruits and vegetables.
                                • Site Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
                                  None Found At Time Of Publication
                                • Author Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
                                  None Found At Time Of Publication