12 Vegetables with the Most Pesticides

Sweet bell peppers are atop the list of vegetables found with the most pesticide residue; on a single pepper, there were 11 different pesticides found. The peppers also had 64 pesticides, in total, found on the sample.

The tests, conducted by the Environmental Working Group (recently named as one of our Best of Green award winners, as the Best Natural-Health News Website) and published as part of their Shopper's Guide to Pesticides, are part of the group's ongoing efforts to educate the world about the environmental health implications of what we consume and use every day.

Photo credit: Getty Images / Robin MacDougallBy Collin Dunn, Corvallis, OR, USA
on April 28, 2009 10:01 AM

Celery ranks #2 on the list, with the highest of percentage of samples test positive for pesticides -- a whopping 94.1 percent -- and the highest likelihood of multiple pesticides on a single vegetable, with 79.8 percent testing positive for more than one pesticide. So, though celery is one food whose price has recently risen, it's worth it to find it grown organically.

Photo credit: Getty Images / Medioimages / Photodisc

By Collin Dunn, Corvallis, OR, USA
on April 28, 2009 10:01 AM

Kale is the first of a handful of leafy vegetables on the list, at #3. 53.1 percent of the samples tested had multiple pesticides, and 10 different pesticides were found on one sample. Once you find an organic variety of kale, it's a delicious and versatile vegetable; try Kelly's Kale & Potato Stew recipe over at Planet Green.

Photo credit: Getty Images / Simon Brown

By Collin Dunn, Corvallis, OR, USA
on April 28, 2009 10:01 AM

Lettuce checks in next, with nine different pesticides found on one single sample, and 57 different pesticides overall. And, while washing definitely can help cut back on pesticides, there's no skin on lettuce to protect the inner flesh -- like with, say, a banana -- so lettuce is one vegetable where seeking out organic varieties is worth your time and money.

Try Emeril's Lettuce Soup recipe or Kelly's classic Caesar salad to enjoy the best of lettuce's leafy goodness.

Photo credit: Getty Images / Martin Harvey

By Collin Dunn, Corvallis, OR, USA
on April 28, 2009 10:01 AM

Carrots, at #5, are the first vegetable on the list that grows underground to have a high pesticide load. 82.3 percent of tested samples had pesticides found on them, and had 40 different pesticides found in total, so a few inches of soil aren't enough to keep many pesticides away.

Once you find a seasonal, organic source for carrots, they're a wonderfully sweet, versatile vegetable that can be used in a huge variety of ways; try this Carrot & Lentil Soup, Maple-Roasted Carrots, or Carrot Cake for just a few ways to enjoy this delicious taproot.

Photo credit: Getty Images / Michael Blann

By Collin Dunn, Corvallis, OR, USA
on April 28, 2009 10:01 AM

Collard greens mark the list's return to leafy vegetables at #6. The hearty green, most often braised, are grown in a variety of climates and seasons, making appearances in farmers' markets on an almost year-round basis in some places. As such, if you can get a good, organic source for collards, you can eat green with them for months out of the year, but going organic is definitely a worthwhile choice.

Photo credit: Getty Images / Trinette Reed

By Collin Dunn, Corvallis, OR, USA
on April 28, 2009 10:01 AM

Spinach is the last leafy green on the list, coming in at #7. Used in everything from dips to creamy soup to electricity (really!), spinach can also be used to make a simple, elegant salad.

Photo credit: Getty Images / Susan Trigg

By Collin Dunn, Corvallis, OR, USA
on April 28, 2009 10:01 AM

Potatoes take the list back underground; the tuber has been cultivated for 10,000 years (according to the Electronic Journal of Biotechnology) and are the 8th-most pesticide-laden vegetable. If you can find them grown organically, in addition to baked, mashed, fried, and otherwise cooked, potatoes are an excellent candidate for raw preparation (provided you can dehydrate them), including as curried potato chips.

Photo credit: ExperienceLA @ Flickr

By Collin Dunn, Corvallis, OR, USA
on April 28, 2009 10:01 AM

Whether you prefer them fresh or baked in casserole, cultivate them from a bush or a pole, or oven-roasted or preserved, green beans round out the top 10 pesticide-laden veggies. The beans, rich in Vitamin C and distributed fresh, frozen, or canned, are usually served with the pods intact, so a thorough washing is their only defense against pesticides. Since that won't get them all off, we think it's best to buy them organic whenever possible.

Photo credit: Chasqui @ Flickr

By Collin Dunn, Corvallis, OR, USA
on April 28, 2009 10:01 AM

Summer squash and zucchini round out the top 10; though they're only around for a few weeks in the summer (unless you don't mind a large carbon footprint to go with your pesticides, and buy them trucked or flown in from Mexico or South America), their pesticide load can still pack a punch. When you buy them organic, try them in Emeril's Summer Veggie Saute, or give 'em a quick bath in balsalmic vinegar and olive oil before tossing them on the grill.

Photo credit: Getty Images / Stockbyte

By Collin Dunn, Corvallis, OR, USA
on April 28, 2009 10:01 AM

Peppers are next on the list. The (usually) spicy veggie's heat may come from the seeds, but the pepper itself can carry a heavy pesticide load. Finding them grown organically can be tricky, but when you do, try this Chili Pepper and Black Bean Salsa as a zesty alternative to store-bought salsa.

Photo credit: Kyle May @ Flickr

By Collin Dunn, Corvallis, OR, USA
on April 28, 2009 10:01 AM

Cucumbers round out this dirty dozen. While you can get your cucumber fix from cucumber soda now, the veggie is most often eaten fresh or lightly cooked, as with Emeril's Cucumber Saute with Basil & Mint. If you're a fan of the 'cuke,' it's worth your time to find them grown organically, and you can enjoy homemade pickles or gazpacho without worrying about eating a side dish of pesticides, too.

More about pesticides in fruits and veggies
EWG's Shopper's Guide to Pesticides
12 Fruits with the Most Pesticides
Avoid Pesticides in Fruit and Veggies

Photo credit: Getty Images / Alex Cao

By Collin Dunn, Corvallis, OR, USA
on April 28, 2009 10:01 AM