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The USDA has been running ongoing tests for pesticide residue on a number of basic foods and the verdict is in. The USDA report gives us a list of foods with the highest to lowest levels of food pesticide residue, including some foods that should only be consumed if organic.
Food pesticide side effects
Before getting to the list let us discuss the dangers of food pesticides. While these chemicals have been around for more than 50 years now and their primary function of attacking the nervous system of insects has purportedly been linked to cancer in humans. While this goes unproven at the moment, there is theoratical evidence that points to food pesticides being especially harmful to pregnant women and young children. Side effects include thyroid and endocrine malfunction, and even nerve damage.
Food pesticide list levels
The USDA list shows that the foods with the highest levels of pesticide residue are apples, blueberries, celery, cherries, grapes, bell pepper, lettuce, pottatoes and spinach. Generally, organic food is pesticide free so these are the foods one should consider going organic with.
Foods found with lowest levels of pesticide residue include avocado, asparagus, cabbage, eggplant, kiwi, onion, pineapple, mango and sweet peas.
