Researchers have issued a new contamination warning after finding disturbing amounts of pesticides on a range of fruit and vegetables.
The Environmental Working Group has released a list of the fresh supermarket items that tested with highest number of pesticides.
The American researchers highlighted the 12 foods that recorded the highest levels - and the top three fruit and vegetables have already caused a stir on social media.
Strawberries had the most pesticides, closely followed by spinach - but it’s kale, which came in third, which concerned many, given the amount of consumers who eat the cabbage for its many health benefits.
The results on kale samples were alarming.
Image: Getty
Says the EWG: ‘92 percent of kale samples had two or more pesticide residues detected’ adding that a single sample of the same kale could yield as many as 18 kinds of residue.
The entire list of fruits and vegetables with the most pesticides are:
Strawberries
Spinach
Kale
Nectarines
Apples
Grapes
Peaches
Cherries
Pears
Tomatoes
Celery
Potatoes
Strawberries had the highest numbers of pesticides.
Image: Getty
But it’s not all bad news, with the EWG also identifying the top 15 fruits and veggies which had ‘few, if any’ pesticides.
The best pesticide-free fruit and veggies are:
Avocados
Sweet corn
Pineapples
Cabbages
Onions
Peas (frozen)
Papayas
Asparagus
Avocados topped the list of pesticide-free fruit and veggies.
