Strawberries again top 2018's 'Dirty Dozen' fruits and veggies

By Susan Scutti, CNN

Updated 0808 GMT (1608 HKT) April 10, 2018

Strawberries topped the dirty dozen list in 2018 for the third year in a row. One strawberry sample revealed 22 separate pesticide residues, and a third of all samples contained 10 or more pesticides. However, the most recent <a href="https://www.ams.usda.gov/sites/default/files/media/2016PDPAnnualSummary.pdf.pdf" target="_blank">Pesticide Data Program report</a> issued by the US Department of Agriculture indicates that when pesticide residues are found on foods, they are nearly always at levels below the human tolerance limits set by the US Environmental Protection Agency.
Photos: The 2018 'Dirty Dozen'
Strawberries – Strawberries topped the dirty dozen list in 2018 for the third year in a row. One strawberry sample revealed 22 separate pesticide residues, and a third of all samples contained 10 or more pesticides. However, the most recent Pesticide Data Program report issued by the US Department of Agriculture indicates that when pesticide residues are found on foods, they are nearly always at levels below the human tolerance limits set by the US Environmental Protection Agency.
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Spinach, in the second spot this year, had relatively high concentrations of a neurotoxic or brain-damaging insecticide.<br />Overall, 97% of spinach samples contained pesticide residues.
Photos: The 2018 'Dirty Dozen'
Spinach – Spinach, in the second spot this year, had relatively high concentrations of a neurotoxic or brain-damaging insecticide.
Overall, 97% of spinach samples contained pesticide residues.
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Nearly 94% of tested nectarines, third on the list, contained two or more pesticides, while a single sample showed residue from 15 separate pesticides.
Photos: The 2018 'Dirty Dozen'
Nectarines – Nearly 94% of tested nectarines, third on the list, contained two or more pesticides, while a single sample showed residue from 15 separate pesticides.
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Nine out of every 10 apples showed pesticide residue, while eight out of every 10 samples contained a pesticide banned in Europe due to the belief that it causes cancer. Apples rank fourth among the dirty dozen.
Photos: The 2018 'Dirty Dozen'
Apples – Nine out of every 10 apples showed pesticide residue, while eight out of every 10 samples contained a pesticide banned in Europe due to the belief that it causes cancer. Apples rank fourth among the dirty dozen.
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On average, grape samples contained five pesticide residues in 2018. With more than 96% of grape samples testing positive for pesticides, the Environmental Working Group placed this popular fruit in position five on its annual list of dirty produce.
Photos: The 2018 'Dirty Dozen'
Grapes – On average, grape samples contained five pesticide residues in 2018. With more than 96% of grape samples testing positive for pesticides, the Environmental Working Group placed this popular fruit in position five on its annual list of dirty produce.
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Close to every peach sample tested -- 99% -- showed detectable pesticide residue. Ranking sixth out of 12, peaches showed, on average, four pesticides per sample.
Photos: The 2018 'Dirty Dozen'
Peaches – Close to every peach sample tested -- 99% -- showed detectable pesticide residue. Ranking sixth out of 12, peaches showed, on average, four pesticides per sample.
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On average, samples of cherries contained five pesticides, while nearly a third contained a pesticide that European health authorities believe causes cancer. The group placed cherries in the seventh position among the dirty dozen.
Photos: The 2018 'Dirty Dozen'
Cherries – On average, samples of cherries contained five pesticides, while nearly a third contained a pesticide that European health authorities believe causes cancer. The group placed cherries in the seventh position among the dirty dozen.
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Several pesticides in high concentrations, including insecticides and fungicides, were found on this eighth-ranking stone fruit. More than half of all pears had residues of five or more pesticides, the group found.
Photos: The 2018 'Dirty Dozen'
Pears – Several pesticides in high concentrations, including insecticides and fungicides, were found on this eighth-ranking stone fruit. More than half of all pears had residues of five or more pesticides, the group found.
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Tomatoes, ninth among the dirty dozen, showed four pesticides on average, while a single sampled showed a variety of pesticides.
Photos: The 2018 'Dirty Dozen'
Tomatoes – Tomatoes, ninth among the dirty dozen, showed four pesticides on average, while a single sampled showed a variety of pesticides.
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