Pesticide Residue on Produce

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.

1. Bananas: peel
2. Corn: remove husks
3. Avocados: peel
4. Oranges: peel with your fingers or a knife (don’t sink your teeth into the peel)
5. Sweet potatoes: wash and peel
6. Cabbage: discard outer leaves
7. Broccoli: wash
8. Green peas: shell
9. Carrots: peel
10. Grapes: wash
11. Kiwifruit: peel
12. Cucumbers: peel, especially if waxed
13. Plums: wash
14. Green beans: wash
15. Tomatoes: wash
16. Celery: wash and trim leaves and top
17. Blueberries: wash
18. Potatoes: wash and/or peel
19. Squash: peel winter squash, wash summer squash
20. Bell pepper: wash
21. Lettuce: discard outer leaves and wash
22. Peaches: peel
23. Spinach: wash
24. Nectarines: wash and, better yet, peel
25. Raspberries: wash
26. Pears: peel (baby can do without the extra fiber for now)
27. Imported grapes: wash thoroughly
28. Apricots: peel
29. Apples: peel
30. Strawberries: wash thoroughly (these are the worst fruit for residue)