The Environmental Working Group’s (EWG) Shopper’s Guide to Pesticides in Produce contained an in-depth analysis of the most recent fruit and vegetable testing data from the Department of Agriculture and Food and Drug Administration, which included over 46,569 samples of 46 types of fruit and vegetables, with findings separated into two lists, the Clean 15 and the Dirty Dozen.
The best in class, with the lowest pesticide residue, were avocados and sweet corn, with pesticides detected in less than 2% of the samples. Whereas 90% of the most-contaminated food samples, such as strawberries, apples, cherries, spinach, nectarines and grapes, contained residues of at least two pesticides.
Why is the avocado so clean?
Avocados have thick, protective skin that is a natural barrier against pests, significantly reducing avocado growers’ reliance on pesticides. This inherent characteristic and responsible farming practices contribute to avocados’ exceptional standing on the Clean 15 list.
Furthermore, the recognition of avocados as a clean fruit highlights that avocado farms do not necessarily need to be organically certified for their fruits to be “clean” and low in pesticide residue. With avocados already meeting stringent standards for pesticide residue, farmers can instead focus their resources on other sustainable practices and ensuring the overall well-being of their crops.
As a result, consumers can confidently enjoy avocados, knowing they are consuming fruit with minimal exposure to potentially harmful chemicals.
Why should we reduce our pesticide intake?
To stay healthy
The European Environment Agency has recognised that the consumption of, and exposure to, pesticides can be toxic to humans and potentially linked to chronic illnesses such as cancer and heart, respiratory and neurological diseases, and can also cause developmental delays in children.
To protect the environment
Pesticides are not only potentially harmful to humans but also to any living organism. Even when used to target a specific pest, they can still significantly impact entire ecosystems and drive down the population of pollinators, such as bees and other winged insects and animals, which are incredibly important for all life on the planet.
Therefore, the next time you are strolling down the fruit and vegetable aisle at the supermarket, think about the positive impact of low-pesticide fruits such as avocados on your health and the environment around you.
World Avocado Organisation
The World Avocado Organisation is a non-profit organisation founded in 2016 whose members are avocado growers, exporters and importers from around the world, including the top four grower supplier countries to the EU and UK.
The World Avocado Organisation promotes the consumption of avocados based on their nutritional value and recognised health benefits. It also shares information and insights on avocado production, supply chains and sustainability with the public.
