Study: 70% of produce in U.S. contain pesticide residue
By Amel Ahmed, KQED-TV
Even after being carefully washed or peeled, nearly 70 percent of fruit and vegetables sold in the U.S. contained pesticide residues, according to a review of recent tests conducted by the Department of Agriculture.
“It is vitally important that everyone eats plenty of produce, but it is also wise to avoid dietary exposure to toxic pesticides, from conception through childhood,” said Sonya Lunder, senior analyst with nonprofit Environmental Working Group, which conducted the analysis.
The reviewed data revealed a total of 230 pesticides and pesticide breakdown products in thousands of crops that were sampled.
