Shopping organically is more and more important as we continue to find out what goes into the things we eat that are not always included on the ingredients list. Even buying fresh produce and meats can be dangerous, so it is important to remain educated on what you are buying at the grocery store. There are 10 items that are considered by the Food and Drug Administration to be the most contaminated foods we have growing and being produced in our country right now.
Corn- Did you know that 50% of the pesticides we have in the United States are used on our corn fields? You might not be munching down on an ear of corn, or some popcorn at the movies, but corn is a staple in our diets and it can be found in much of what we eat. It's smart to buy your fresh corn organic or at least locally grown (As pesticides often are not added after the corn is picked) and to keep an eye on the ingredients in the food you buy. If corn is a main ingredient in a food, it's wise to purchase the organic version.
Strawberries- This sweet fruit is considered to be one of the most contaminated fruit or vegetable on the market. In a study conducted by a Washington based Environmental Working Group, seventy percent of strawberries tested were contaminated with at least one pesticide. Thirty-six percent contained two or more. When buying these berries, definitely stay away from ones that were imported on the off season.
While the United States doesn't exactly have the strictest regulations on pesticide usages, other countries can be even worse. There are a few organic brands you can buy, and you may even be able to find some fields in your area that grows their strawberries organically and may even let you pick your own. Numerous frozen varieties are also available that come in organic.
Bananas- The pesticides that are used on bananas have been known to cause birth defects and also since bananas are a fruit that we give to children from the time they are very young, it is important to purchase organic bananas. There is some information floating around that suggests bananas are ok to purchase non-organic due to their thick skin that you peel off before you eat. This is not true, as that skin can't keep all of the harmful chemicals out. Organic bananas are very reasonably priced so it is a small change that can really benefit you and your family in the long run.
Peaches- Peaches have been known to have numerous violations of the pesticide regulations that we have. The FDA has been known to frequently overlook and miss violations to peach crops in our country, including one crop that was contaminated at eighty times the allowed level. Don't forget that we're not only talking about the fresh food you find in the produce section of your supermarket, but also in products you find on the shelves. Just because a store sells canned peaches doesn't mean those peaches are safe. They are just as contaminated as the fresh ones and can be even worse for you based on the chemicals and preservatives that go into them.
Rice- Along with corn, rice is also a large staple in our diets. Not only do we have a wide variety of rice that we eat with our meals but rice is also used as a base in many breads, cereals, and snacks. With an increase in milk intolerance, rice milk has become more popular as well. A lot of baby foods, formulas and cereals all include rice as a basis. In California a section of ground water has been contaminated due to pesticides that were dropped overhead onto rice fields.
Oats and Grains- A fact that you may or may not know is that at one point, it was discovered that one year's worth of Cheerio's products were found to be contaminated with illegal levels of pesticides. The company decided to let the contaminated product stay on the shelves however they didn't release any of the products they had in their possession. Six to eleven servings of whole grains are recommended on a daily basis so it would be smart to ensure that those servings are coming from pesticide-free, organically grown foods.
Milk- Cows are more often than not injected with a growth hormone to increase their milk production. A huge portion of these animals later develop an infection of the udder that is treated by a high level of antibiotic and this could potentially be passed into the milk they excrete. This milk then ends up on our grocery shelves, and not only do we drink it, but it is also used to feed our infants and toddlers. The milk controversies have surfaced lately and more and more people are opting to buy their milk organic.
Green Beans- More than 60 pesticides are on the market to use during the growth of green beans. In an Environmental Working Group test, 3 separate pesticides were found in a sample of green bean baby food. Green beans that are sent to the United States from Mexico tend to be the most contaminated. Green beans are so easy to grow, you should have no problem getting some going in your own backyard, or finding organic beans to purchase at the store.
Apples- This is a fruit that is so widely distributed. In the fall we eat them, we bake pies with them, we make sauces out of them and we even drink the cider. I bet you weren't aware though, that apples contain 65% of the pesticides that are used on strawberries (Remember, strawberries are the most contaminated fruit on the market). Organic apples are reasonably cheap and you will actually notice a difference in taste when you bit into one of these crisp fruits.
Baby Food- Last but certainly not least is the little jars of food that we buy to feed our growing babies. EWG conducted a test on baby food produced by some of the major baby food corporations, and 16 separate pesticides were found. If we don't want to make the change to organic for ourselves, we should want to do it for our next generation. Babies spend a portion of their lives eating just baby food, so it should at least be pesticide free. Also keep in mind it's not that difficult to make your own baby food with a food processor. This way, you know exactly what is going into the food that your baby is ingesting.
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