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Food Hacks + Recipes / Wellbeing / Green Living

Revealed: The 20 foods worth splashing out on to buy organic (because they have the highest level of pesticide residue)

Revealed: The 20 foods worth splashing out on to buy organic (because they have the highest level of pesticide residue)

Organic produce is said to be higher in antioxidants, which prevent damage to the body, supposedly better for the environment and tastes better, according to its champions. But with some products costing up to twice as much as their non-organic alternatives, not everyone can afford to fill their trolley up with pesticide-free fruit and veg every week.

If you can stretch to adding some items, the Pesticide Action Network UK has revealed the fruit and vegetables found to have the highest level of residue in tests carried out between 2011 and 2015, to coincide with the Soil Association’s Organic September Campaign.

They include oranges and other citrus fruits, apples, herbs and pre-prepared salad leaves, as well as starchy foods such as rice and oats. Avocado, mushrooms and sweet potato have the lowest levels so are the best choices to buy non-organic.

Pesticide Action Network UK has revealed the fruit and vegetables found to have the highest level of residue. Crops in the UK may be treated with up to 320 different types of pesticide. Products grown without using toxic chemicals contain 20 per cent more flavonols – antioxidants, which prevent damage to the body – according to a study by the Teagasc Food Research Centre, in Ireland.

BUY THESE ORGANIC
Oranges
Soft citrus fruits
Lemons and limes
Strawberries
Pears
Grapes
Seville oranges
Herbs
Apples
Cherries
Peaches and nectarines
Pineapple
Apricots
Banana
Prepacked salad leaves
Spring greens and kale
Pre prepared salad leaves
Cucumber
Berries
Raspberries
BU NON-ORGANIC
Beetroot
Cauliflower
Corn on the cob
Figs
Mushrooms
Onions
Rhubarb
Swede
Turnip
Peas
Spring Onions
Asparagus
Radish
Avocado
Peas without pods
Sweet potato
Leeks
Broad Beans
Pumpkin and squash
Broccoli

According to The Soil Association, government testing in 2015 found pesticide residues in 43% of British food, with many samples containing multiple pesticides. Almost 80% of grapes tested contained traces of multiple pesticides.

In non-organic food production up to 320 pesticides are used routinely and these often remain present in produce even after cooking and washing.

AND THE 20 FOODS WITH THE LOWEST LEVELS OF PESTICIDES

Peas
Spring Onions
Asparagus
Radish
Avocado
Peas without pods
Sweet potato
Leeks
Broad Beans
Pumpkin and squash
Beetroot
Cauliflower
Corn on the cob
Figs
Mushrooms
Onions
Rhubarb
Swede
Turnip
Broccoli

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