AGRICULTURE INDUSTRY Eat Fruits and Vegetables Without Pesticides By Violeta Montes de Oca Pesticide presence Some categories of pesticides have been eliminated because they caused so many problems, such as animal death, between the 1960s and 1970s. "Organic does not mean no pesticides are used," Roberts onsumer Reports revealed the risk associated with clari昀椀ed. pesticides in 59 fruits and vegetables, considering 吀栀e National Organic Program in the U.S. has a list that their fresh, canned, dehydrated, or frozen versions in indicates which ones are allowed. It generally excludes some cases. synthetic pesticides but allows those that are plant-based. To do so, it analyzed data collected over seven years Cby the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), which The results annually tests various organic and conventional agricultural Consumer Reports recommends choosing lower-risk products grown in the United States and imported. pesticide products to reduce pesticide exposure. 吀栀e goal was to detect pesticide residues. 吀栀e results showed 吀栀e risk levels correspond to the number of servings a child that 20% of the food had pesticides. approximately four years old could safely consume daily. 吀栀is Abasto spoke with Catherine Roberts, associate health editor is approximately two-thirds of an adult serving. at Consumer Reports, who discussed the analysis and results. When possible, he suggests opting for organic products. "吀栀e point of this is not to stop people from eating fruits and Chemicals vs. pesticides vegetables. 吀栀e message we want people to take away is that 吀栀e world is a whole of chemicals, but some are natural, such there are some unfortunate risks associated with these, thanks as water, and others are human-made, such as chlorine. to the presence of pesticides," Roberts explained. Pesticides are chemicals designed to kill, eliminate, or "吀栀e good news from this report is that most of the items eliminate pests, insects, fungi, and weeds. we looked at were low risk. 吀栀ere are a lot of good options out "吀栀ere is a wide variety of di昀昀erent types of pesticides that there and you can eat a wide variety." the USDA has found," Roberts said. Fruit/Vegetable Risk Level Recommendation Kale High Eat sporadically and choose organic version. Lettuce Low N/A Blueberries Low Organic version has even lower pesticide risk. Cucumber Low N/A Watermelon HIgh Eat sporadically and choose organic version. 6666 JJUULLYY//AAUUGGUUSST 2T 200224 4 AABBAASSTOTO..CCOOMM