Glyphosate-aka "roundup" in Europe, the dirty dozen and the clean 15 with the lowest amount of pesticide residues.

Be Aware Of “The Dirty Dozen And The Clean Fifteen”

If you can’t afford all-organic veg, pay particular attention to what is known as the “dirty dozen” – crops which have been tested to show higher pesticide residues on average. Make these a higher priority for organic purchase if funds are limited:

These are in general HIGHER in pesticide residues:
• Apples
• Celery
• Strawberries
• Peaches
• Spinach
• Nectarines (imported)
• Grapes (imported)
• Sweet Bell Peppers
• Potatoes
• Blueberries
• Lettuce
• Kale
• Collard Greens
• Milk
(source)

On the other end of the spectrum, the following “clean fifteen” were found to have the lowest amount of pesticide residues:

These are in general LOWER in pesticide residues:
• Onion
• Sweet Corn
• Pineapple
• Avocado
• Cabbage
• Sweet Peas
• Asparagus
• Mangoes
• Eggplant
• Kiwifruit
• Cantaloupe-domestic
• Sweet potatoes
• Grapefruit
• Watermelon
• Mushrooms
Source: Environmental Working Group (2012). Shopper’s Guide to Pesticides in Produce.

In Europe over the past couple of years, controversy has raged over the safety of Glyphosate – aka. Monsanto’s “Roundup” herbicide (also sold under many other trade names).

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A group of scientists – including some very eminent scholars – have claimedthat the pesticide industry and even European Union regulators have known since the 1980s-1990s that Roundup caused birth defects and did not inform the public.

The scientists are of the opinion that the public may be being kept in the dark and that critical safety reviews have been deliberately obstructed in the interests of corporate profits. Here is their full downloadable report – it’s serious stuff as you can read for yourself: Roundup and birth defects: Is the public being kept in the dark?

Whether it turns out to be true or not– you ought to be aware that you are eating pesticide residues: A 2012 scientific review found that 38% of conventional (i.e. non-organic) produce was contaminated with pesticide residues!