These 4 fruits and vegetables are the most contaminated by pesticides, according to 60 million consumers

In its Special Issue Food and Health, entitled Fruits and vegetables, the health champions, the magazine 60 Million consumers was interested in the use of pesticides in Europe. The observation is alarming, since between 2011 and 2019, their spreading has continued to increase, and without much surprise as a result: “the rate of contamination of fruits by pesticide residues has increased significantly”, specifies the investigation. Even though they generally contain lower doses of pollutants, vegetables are also strongly impacted by the use of pesticides. However, pesticide residues vary greatly from one fruit or vegetable to another, as evidenced by the 7 vegetables least contaminated by pesticides.

According to an inventory of pesticide residues in France which was established by the NGO Générations Futures, which looked at non-organic fruits and vegetables in 2024, the percentages of non-organic samples with at least one pesticide residueare particularly high for 2 fruits and 2 vegetables that we consume regularly. For these 4 fruits and vegetablesit is better to favor organic when doing your shopping, because these are the most contaminated by pesticides and eating those from non-organic cultivation presents a health risk.

Here are the 2 fruits that are most contaminated by pesticides in 2024, according to 60 Million consumers

If almost 2 thirds of non-organic fruits sold in France contain at least one pesticide residue, there are 2 which are more contaminated than all the others. These are:

• cherries: over 5 years, 93.8% of cherry samples analyzed contained at least one pesticide. As added 60 Million consumers, “Spanish cherries are the most contaminated, followed by Greek and French cherries”.

• grapefruit and pomelo: over 5 years, 91.1% of grapefruit and pomelo samples analyzed contained at least one pesticide.

The other fruits that contain the most pesticide residues are nectarines and peaches, closely followed by grapes.

Here are the 2 vegetables that are most contaminated by pesticides in 2024, according to 60 Million consumers

For vegetables, the results are a little different. The vegetable most contaminated by pesticides contains significantly more pesticide residue than the second on the list of those containing the most. This is the celeriac. Over 5 years, 78.5% of the celery root samples analyzed contained at least one pesticide residue.

The second vegetable which has a high pesticide residue content is none other than a very popular summer vegetable: melon. Over 5 years, 69% of the melon samples analyzed contained at least one pesticide residue. Just behind, we also find endives.

Fruits and vegetables: which sources should you choose to consume fewer pesticides?

The magazine published by the National Consumer Institute specifies that France is located “average” European Union regarding the use of pesticides, with “3.7 kg spread per hectare (10,000 m2)”. Buying fruits and vegetables from France rather than another European country therefore does not necessarily make a difference.

On the other hand, 60 Million consumers specifies that while it is often believed that Spain is the largest user of pesticides in Europe, it is in reality the Netherlands (10.9 kg/ha) followed by Ireland (7.07 kg/ha) and of Belgium (6.42 kg/ha) which use it the most. Useful information to keep in mind when making your choice at the market or in the fruit and vegetable section of supermarkets.

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