The well-respected Consumer Reports magazine, in its upcoming September 2008 edition, features information on the fruits and vegetables that carry the highest risk of dietary exposure to pesticide residues. The information in the article is derived from The Organic Center’s recent analysis of USDA and EPA pesticide data and published in a March 2008 report entitled “Simplifying the Pesticide Risk Equation: The Organic Option.” The report, as well as all publications from the Center are available for free download at www.organic-center.org. The report was also excerpted in a new Organic Essentials Pocket Guide (also available for free download on our website), geared toward educating consumers about which fruits and vegetables are the most important to purchase as organically produced.

The Consumer Reports article also notes that imported, conventionally grown fruits and vegetables, particularly cucumbers, grapes, lettuce, nectarines, peaches and sweet bell peppers, might harbor far higher levels of pesticide residues than domestically produced counterparts.

The top domestically grown fruits to buy organic include cranberries, nectarines, peaches, strawberries, pears, apples, cherries and cantaloupe. The top domestically grown vegetables to buy organic include green beans, sweet bell peppers, celery, cucumbers, potatoes, tomatoes, peas and lettuce. For more information, visit www.organic-center.org