Conventional Fruits and Vegetables with the Highest Pesticide Dietary Risk Index Scores: Imported

It is helpful to know which conventional foods are most likely to be grown with pesticides, and which foods  have natural barriers such as a thick skin that can protect the edible food from some of that pesticide residue.  High risk foods are best bargains for buying "organic" even if the cost is greater. 

Remember, health costs are not just about food cost, but also about health care costs and lost productivity from illness and loss of energy.

Conventional Fruits and Vegetables with the Highest Pesticide Dietary Risk Index Scores:

Imported

Fruits
Grapes: 282
Nectarines: 281
Peaches: 266
Pears: 221
Strawberries: 78

Vegetables:
Sweet bell peppers: 720
Lettuce: 326
Cucumbers: 317
Celery: 170
Tomatoes: 142

Complete Dietary Risk Index can be found in the full report, downloadable at The Organic Center

About The Organic Center
The Organic Center, based in Boulder, CO, is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 2002 to generate and advance credible, peer-reviewed scientific research and information on the health and environmental benefits of organic food and farming - and to communicate those benefits to the public through education, resources and information. By doing so, it helps promote the conversion of more farmland to organic methods, improve public health, and work to restore our natural world through more sustainable and ecological practices. All of The Organic Center's research reports and publications are available free at www.organic-center.org. Individuals can also sign up for our free monthly e-newsletter, The Scoop. For information about The Organic Center, its current programs and scientific reports please visit www.organic-center.org or call 303.499.1840.