The non-profit Environmental Working Group recently conducted their Dirty Dozen annual report, investigating whether or not they might find pesticide residue on a myriad of produce samples. They look at thousands of samples, more than 40k or more, testing things such as strawberries, spinach, kale, and other items.
Their most recent report has discovered that a great deal of conventionally-grown produce has pesticide residue to be found.
This includes thoroughly washing and peeling a product before testing it for pesticides.
Some of the other items that made the list which have been found with more pesticides than others, are items like grapes, peaches, pears, cherries, potatoes, celery, and tomatoes.
"We were surprised kale had so many pesticides on it, but the test results were unequivocal," – Alexis Temkin, the group's toxicologist
Researchers have recommended that consumers opt for organic whenever they can to try and reduce their potential exposure to various harmful chemicals. This isn't to say that organic farming doesn't use its own pesticides, though they use organic methods and ingredients; not all organic farms however. If they cannot opt for organic, then it's suggested that they look for items that are less likely to be contaminated.
Some of the items that have been found to be less likely contaminated are items such as avocados, pineapples, onions, eggplants, kiwis, cabbages, and mushrooms.
Another recent consumer watchdog report has also discovered that a great deal of beer and wine have traces of Roundup in it.
"If we're finding this level of glyphosate in wine and beer, even when we know the makers aren't using glyphosate, that to me indicates there's glyphosate in a lot of other products," - Cook-Schultz, program director for the organization that tested the samples
Despite the findings of the weed killer in the many samples that were tested, it's alleged that the amount of glyphosate that was found in the samples is far below any concerning level that might cause potential health harm in the future. However, they did note that the prevalence of the weed killer was troubling.
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