by Sue Gilbert, M.S., Nutritionist
The list below outlines both fruits and vegetables ranked for pesticide residues (from cleanest to most contaminated). We also provide a simple solution for reducing the risk of eating the pesticide residues.
- Bananas: peel
- Corn: remove husks
- Avocados: peel
- Oranges: peel with your fingers or a knife (don’t sink your teeth into the peel)
- Sweet potatoes: wash and peel
- Cabbage: discard outer leaves
- Broccoli: wash
- Green peas: shell
- Carrots: peel
- Grapes: wash
- Kiwifruit: peel
- Cucumbers: peel, especially if waxed
- Plums: wash
- Green beans: wash
- Tomatoes: wash
- Celery: wash and trim leaves and top
- Blueberries: wash
- Potatoes: wash and/or peel
- Squash: peel winter squash, wash summer squash
- Bell pepper: wash
- Lettuce: discard outer leaves and wash
- Peaches: peel
- Spinach: wash
- Nectarines: wash and, better yet, peel
- Raspberries: wash
- Pears: peel (baby can do without the extra fiber for now)
- Imported grapes: wash thoroughly
- Apricots: peel
- Apples: peel
- Strawberries: wash thoroughly (these are the worst fruit for residue)
