Did you know that some fruits and vegetables are more contaminated by pesticides than others? It’s important to eat their version of sustainable or organic farming that does not use synthetic chemicals. Here are 3 items tested by the EFSA (European Food Safety Authority) that you have already come across in your Benoo bags.
Lamb’s lettuce
It is estimated that 62% of non-organic lamb’s lettuce salads are contaminated with residues of several pesticides. Of these, 23% contain residues of at least 2 types of pesticides, 19% contain residues of at least 3 pesticides, 10% contain residues of at least 4 pesticides, 5% contain residues of at least 5 pesticides and 5% contain residues of more than 5 pesticides.
Celeriac
About 60% of non-organic celeriac consumed in the EU contains residues of several pesticides. In the sample analysed by EFSA, 18% contain residues of at least 2 types of pesticides, 15% contain residues of at least 3 pesticides, 10% contain residues of at least 4 pesticides, 9% contain residues of at least 5 pesticides and 8% contain residues of more than 5 pesticides.
Pears
Of the pears eaten in the EU from traditional agriculture, 61% contain residues of several pesticides. Of these, 17% contain residues of at least 2 types of pesticides, 14% of residues of at least 3 pesticides, 12% of residues of at least 4 pesticides, 7% of residues of at least 5 pesticides and 11% of residues of more than 5 pesticides.
source:EU Fruit and Vegetables with Endocrine Disrupting Pesticides (EDPs)
(https://www.pan-europe.info/sites/pan-europe.info/files/public/images/Diagram%20ED%20pesticides%20in%20EU%20fruit%20and%20veg_PAN%20Europe.pdf)