How 'bout Them Apples?

Apples Rank as Produce Most Contaminated by Pesticides

Apples, bell peppers, celery, and cherries rank as the produce most contaminated by pesticide residues in the U.S., says the Environmental Working Group in a new report. Using data from lab tests conducted by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the Department of Agriculture, EWG compared contamination of 46 fruits and vegetables and came up with a "Dirty Dozen" list of the most pesticide-laden. Scrubbing your fresh fruits and veggies before eating won't solve the problem, as nearly all of the tests were conducted on foods that had been washed and prepared for normal consumption. But the good news, says EWG, is that the growing availability of organic foods has made it easier to avoid produce with high levels of pesticide residues.