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  • From: Keith Johnson <keithdj@mindspring.com>
  • To: BPG <bloomingtonpermacultureguild@lists.riseup.net>, Permaculture ibiblio <permaculture@lists.ibiblio.org>, openpermaculture <permaculture@openpermaculture.org>
  • Subject: [permaculture] If you can't eat organic...
  • Date: Fri, 06 Oct 2006 20:45:50 -0400

"Federal produce tests tell us that some fruits and vegetables are so likely to be contaminated with pesticides that you should always buy them organic," said Richard Wiles, Environmental Working Group's senior vice president. "Others are so consistently clean that you can eat them with less concern. With the Shopper's Guide <http://www.foodnews.org/> in your pocket, it's easy to tell which is which."

EWG's analysis of federal testing data found:

* Peaches and apples topped the Dirty Dozen list. Almost 97 percent
of peaches tested positive for pesticides, and almost 87 percent
had two or more pesticide residues. About 92 percent of apples
tested positive, and 79 percent had two or more pesticides. The
rest of the Dirty Dozen include sweet bell peppers, celery,
nectarines, strawberries, cherries, pears, imported grapes,
spinach, lettuce, and potatoes.
* Onions, avocados, and sweet corn headed the Consistently Clean
list. For all three foods, more than 90 percent of the samples
tested had no detectable pesticide residues. Others on the
Consistently Clean list include pineapples, mango, asparagus,
sweet peas, kiwi, bananas, cabbage, broccoli, and papaya.

There is growing scientific consensus that small doses of pesticides can adversely affect people, especially during vulnerable periods of fetal development and childhood when exposures can have long lasting effects. Because the toxic effects of pesticides are worrisome, not well understood, or in some cases completely unstudied, shoppers are wise to minimize exposure to pesticides whenever possible.

While washing and rinsing fresh produce can reduce levels of some pesticides, it does not eliminate them. Peeling also reduces exposures, but valuable nutrients often go down the drain with the peel. The best option is to eat a varied diet, wash all produce, and choose organic when possible to reduce exposure to potentially harmful chemicals.

The rest of the story at:

http://www.commondreams.org/news2006/1004-10.htm

--
Keith Johnson
Permaculture Activist Magazine
PO Box 5516
Bloomington, IN 47408
(812) 335-0383
http://www.permacultureactivist.net
also Patterns for Abundance Design & Consulting
also APPLE-Bloomington (Alliance for a Post-Petroleum Local Economy)
It's a small world after oil.



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  • [permaculture] If you can't eat organic..., Keith Johnson, 10/06/2006

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