Prices on organic foods have fallen, but price still is an important consideration. Some organic items can cost almost twice as much as conventional (non-organic), according to Consumer Reports. But consumers should not assume that all conventional produce has similar amounts of contamination.
The Environmental Working Group, a nonprofit environmental research organization based in Washington, D.C., compiled a list of the most and least contaminated fruits and vegetables, based on more than 43,000 tests for pesticides done between 2000 and 2005 by the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the Food and Drug Administration. For a complete list of 44 fruits and vegetables, go to www.foodnews.org.
12 most contaminated foods -- consider organic Peaches (highest pesticide load)
Apples
Sweet bell peppers
Celery
Nectarines
Strawberries
