Strawberries have officially replaced apples as the most pesticide-ridden produce, according to 2016 Environmental Working Group's Shopper's Guide; around 98% of all "conventional" strawberry samples tested had detectable pesticide residues with 40% having residues of ten or more pesticides present. The EPA says the levels are not harmful to eat. The study also found that strawberries are among the top five crops in terms of total pesticide residue levels and second only to corn for glyphosate residues. China, the US, Mexico, Turkey and Spain are leading producing countries of strawberries in that order; strawberries are the fourth highest ranked US fruit in terms of value of production, following grapes, oranges and apples. Avocado's remain at the top of EWG's cleanest produce, with less than 1% of samples showing detectable pesticides.
Strawberries have officially replaced apples as the most pesticide-ridden produce, according to 2016 Environmental Working Group's Shopper's Guide; around 98% of all "conventional" strawberry samples tested had detectable pesticide residues with 40% having residues of ten or more pesticides present. The study also found that strawberries are among the top five crops in terms of total pesticide residue levels and second only to corn for glyphosate residues. China, the US, Mexico, Turkey and Spain are leading producing countries of strawberries in that order; strawberries are the fourth highest ranked US fruit in terms of value of production, following grapes, oranges and apples. Avocado's remain at the top of EWG's cleanest produce, with less than 1% of samples showing detectable pesticides.