Produce and Pesticides

Fruits and vegetables are crucial for overall health as they are packed with nutrients, fiber, and bioactive compounds that aid various bodily functions. They are also rich in natural chemicals known as antioxidants, which help shield your cells from damage. Fruits and vegetables contain phytonutrients, which are plant-produced compounds that offer health benefits. Regularly eating fruits and vegetables is associated with a reduced risk of chronic diseases such as diabetes, obesity, stroke, and certain cancers. Vegetables can be low in calories and high in nutrients, making them ideal for any diet. I enjoy incorporating a good salad into my daily meals, especially during spring and summer. Including a variety of fruits and vegetables in our diet is vital for a healthy microbiome. While fruits and vegetables are essential, it is important to be aware of pesticides.

What are Pesticides?

Pesticides are chemical substances designed to prevent, eliminate, or repel pests, which can include insects, rodents, weeds (herbicides), microorganisms, and fungi. According to the US Department of Agriculture, around 50 million people in the United States rely on groundwater for drinking, which may be contaminated with pesticides and other agricultural chemicals (Dirty water article). Many pesticides present health risks to humans. These risks encompass cancer, hormone disruption, reproductive system damage, and toxicity to the brain and nervous system. Some human studies have associated certain pesticides with reduced fertility, miscarriages, birth defects, and learning or developmental disabilities in children. Additionally, some pesticides may be transmitted through breast milk.

Pesticides being legal doesn’t mean they are safe. EWG is concerned about pesticides on produce because they are toxic by design, created expressly to kill living organisms – insects, plants and fungi. Many pesticides still legal for use in the U.S. have been banned in the European Union because of the science showing threats to human health and wildlife.

You may have heard of the popular word for a widely used pesticide called glyphosate. What is glyphosate? It is the active ingredient in Roundup and the most widely used herbicide in the world. According to many sources, glyphosate is a probable carcinogen and has been linked to cancer. A study done in 2020 found more than half of our microbiome falls susceptible to glyphosate. I was surprised to learn pasta and oats are foods that contain the most glyphosate. There is glyphosate in more than 95 percent of popular oat-based food samples. These pastas and cereals contain the highest levels of glyphosate: Barilla Whole Grain Rotini, Mueller’s 100% Whole Grain Penne, Kellogg’s All-Bran Buds, and General Mills’ Wheat Chex. Glyphosate is commonly sprayed on genetically modified crops. Glyphosate is found in more than half of corn and soy products according to findings from the FDA. Glyphosate's market size was valued at USD 11.21 billion in 2023. This is such a profitable industry, which makes me wonder if glyphosate will ever be banned?

What is Organic?

Organic means food produced without toxic chemicals, fertilizers, and pesticides. The term “organic” may not be used in a product name to modify a non-organic ingredient in the product. Farmers must abstain from using prohibited substances, including most synthetic fertilizers and pesticides, for three years prior to certification and then continually throughout their organic license. Adhering to the FDA’s organic standards and regulations is a legal requirement but also adds to consumer trust in the food systems.

Organic labeling

FDA is responsible for regulating the labeling of packaged food and beverages, including organic products. While the FDA does not have a specific organic certification program, it works in tandem with the USDA to ensure that organic claims made on food labels are accurate and verifiable. There are four different organic labels. The 100% Organic label is reserved for products that are made entirely with certified organic ingredients and methods. Organic products labeled as “Organic” must consist of at least 95% certified organic ingredients, with the remaining 5% non-organic ingredients approved by the FDA. The “Made with Organic Ingredients” label is used for products that contain at least 70% certified organic ingredients. Products with organic ingredients that contain less than 70% certified organic content cannot display the word “organic” on the label, but can identify specific ingredients that are USDA-certified organic in the ingredient list.

Reading Labels

Have you ever wondered what the code is on the sticker put on produce? They are called the PLU or Price Look Up codes. They have been used by supermarkets since 1990 to make check-out easy for the cashiers. PLU codes are also used to identify whether the produce is conventionally or organically grown. I have seen produce in the organic area of the grocery store but when I read the PLU label it is actually not organic. Disturbing right? Reading labels is so important these days and it is fun to teach your kids to do the same. The PLU code/ sticker will contain a 4 digit or a 5 digit code. These codes are randomly assigned. What is important is what digit the code starts with. You will want to look for a code that starts with the number 9; that produce is organically grown.

New Label: There is a new label which is different from Organic. It is the Glyphosate Residue free Certification. This certification means they are specifically glyphosate free.

Why buy organic?

Understanding which foods are more likely to have pesticides can help us maintain our health and determine which produce is crucial to buy organic. I suggest checking the EWG annually for the latest list of the Dirty Dozen and Clean Fifteen. The Dirty Dozen includes produce with the highest pesticide levels, while the Clean Fifteen consists of those with the lowest levels. You can also subscribe to their email list to stay informed.

Choosing organic foods can help reduce exposure to chemicals that may disrupt our bodies’ natural Circadian Rhythms. Organic practices also help to support the planet through utilizing more sustainable methods and relying less on chemicals to limit pests.

Why do Organic Foods Cost More?

Producing organic foods involves higher costs. Labor expenses increase during the planting, growing, and harvesting of organic crops due to the reliance on traditional farming methods. Natural fertilizers and organic animal feed also come at a higher price. Organic farms produce less, leading to reduced profits for farmers. Additionally, the organic certification process is costly, and the USDA enforces stringent labeling requirements.

Organic Certification on Meat

All organic agricultural farms and products must meet specific guidelines which are verified by a USDA-approved independent agency. The USDA ensures that products in the meat, poultry, and egg industries are safe and labeled correctly. Livestock should be produced without genetic engineering or ionizing radiation. Year round livestock living conditions, which accommodate the wellbeing and natural behavior of animals must be maintained throughout the year. The animals must be raised on certified organic land meeting all organic crop production standards and fed 100 percent organic feed except for additional animal requirements such as added minerals. They prohibit the use of GMOs and irradiation. They must refrain from antibiotic and hormone use in animals and sustain animals on 100% organic feed with no GMOs in their feed . Livestock products that are labeled as organic must be from livestock under continuous organic management from the last third of gestation. They should avoid contamination during processing of organic products. If a product contains the USDA organic seal, it means that 95%–100% of its ingredients are organic. Products with 70%–95% organic ingredients can still advertise “organic ingredients” on the front of the package, and products with less than 70% organic ingredients can identify them on the side panel.

Organic Foods and Regenerative Farming

I cannot talk about organic foods without mentioning regenerative farming. Regenerative agriculture is a farming method that focuses on restoring and improving the health of soil, water, and biodiversity. These ecological principles aim to work with nature’s natural flow instead of against it. The more nutrients that are in the soil where the produce is farmed, the more nutrient dense the food will be. Nutrient density refers to the amount of beneficial nutrients such as vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants found in a food relative to its calorie content. This aids in overall health and helps to prevent disease. Regenerative farming allows animals to roam and exhibit natural behavior allowing them to roam on the farmland and fertilize it naturally opposed to using toxic chemicals as fertilization. This practice stimulates soil growth and nourishes the animals. Regenerative farming benefits also aim to reverse climate change by rebuilding soil organic matter and restoring degraded soil biodiversity all while preventing pollution run off. Regenerative farming is not strictly the same as organic farming. Organic farming primarily focuses on avoiding prohibited chemicals, while regenerative farming goes further by actively aiming to improve soil health and ecosystem biodiversity and diverse crop rotations.

Glyphosate in Beer and Wine

Organic labeling guidelines must adhere to both USDA organic standards and Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB) regulations. In 2019, U.S. PIRG conducted a test for glyphosate in beer and wine. They examined 20 products, including 5 wines and 15 beers. Out of the 20 samples, 19 contained glyphosate. The highest glyphosate level in the tested wines was found in Sutter Home wine. Although glyphosate is prohibited in organic farming, some organic products were still contaminated. Two of the five wines tested were organic, and both contained glyphosate: Inkarri Malbec, Certified Organic, and Frey Organic Natural White. Samuel Smith Organic, Inkarri Estate organic wine, Coors, Tsingtao, and Miller Lite exhibited the highest glyphosate levels. One brand, Peak Beer Organic IPA, showed no detectable levels of glyphosate.

Clean Wine Options

Glyphosate is banned in Europe. So if you are enjoying a red from Italy or a white from France you do not have to worry about this toxin. Not all but many European winemakers use organic farming techniques. If you are looking for clean wine I suggest looking for wine that contains the Napa Green Label. On a recent trip to Napa I learned about The Napa Green Certification and their six core elements.

The Napa Green Label follows these principals:

Adhering to a prohibited and restricted pesticide list
Social Justice, Diversity & Inclusion standards that incorporate direct communication with farmworkers
Implementing Regenerative Agriculture, Soil Health & Carbon Farm Plans
Irrigation Assessments and Water Use efficiency
Forest Management for Health & Fire Resilience (where applicable)
Climate-Smart Burning & Alternatives

To learn more go to: https://napagreen.org/

Who is most in Danger?

Purchasing organic foods isn't merely a luxury. Choosing organic impacts not only you but also farmworkers, animals, and our environment. Those who frequently consume foods grown with pesticides and those residing downstream of treated crops face the greatest risk of health issues. Infants and young children are particularly vulnerable since their bodies are still developing. In fact, peer-reviewed research published by EWG in 2020 revealed that the EPA neglected to account for children when determining the allowable levels of exposure for 90 percent of the most common pesticides.

Pesticides are hazardous not only when used on crops but also in residential yards. Applying lawn pesticides in your backyard can harm your health, pets, and the environment, affecting birds and beneficial creatures like bees. These toxins can enter the body through skin contact, inhalation, or ingestion. Discuss non-toxic alternatives with your landscaper.

Summary

As a consumer, it is empowering to know what you are buying and consuming. Choose organic products when purchasing items on the current Dirty Dozen list. Become diligent about reading food labels. Whenever possible, buy locally so you can inquire about farming practices directly from your local farmer. The choices you make at the grocery store directly affect your health and the environment. Remember to cook your food in non-toxic cookware. If you are spending the time and money to buy organic make sure you keep toxins out of your food with toxic free cooking and bakeware. Some of my favorite links are below.

Tip: How to clean produce

I clean all my fruits and vegetables, even if they are organic. To clean them, mix 1 teaspoon of baking soda or 1 tablespoon of vinegar with 2 cups of cold water. Let your produce soak in this solution for 12-15 minutes. Rinse them by gently rubbing under filtered running water.

Recommended Products

Please note: These links are affiliate links so if you purchase any of these items through the links on this page, I may make a small commission . I only link to products I personally use and support.

Produce and Pesticides

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