An investigation by Consumer Reports, a nonprofit consumer advocacy organization, has revealed the presence of pesticides in some fresh, frozen, and canned non-organic fruits and vegetables. The report, which was released on Thursday, highlights that produce imported into the United States exhibits some of the highest levels of pesticides.
Out of 100 samples of the most contaminated produce, 65 were imported, with 52 originating from Mexico. The report specifically notes that strawberries, especially the frozen variety, and both imported and domestic green beans, have high levels of pesticides. Notably, even organic green beans were found to contain significant levels of pesticides, marking them as the only organic food in the study with such findings.
James Rogers, the director of food safety research and testing at Consumer Reports, pointed out that nearly all tested green beans were contaminated with acephate, an organophosphate insecticide classified as a "possible human carcinogen" by the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), which banned its use on green beans in 2011.
The Food Industry Association and the Alliance for Food and Farming have both emphasized the rigorous review process pesticides undergo by the EPA to ensure safety for human consumption and the enforcement of pesticide tolerances by the US Food and Drug Administration, including for imported foods. They also highlighted the priority of safety for farmers and the proven health benefits of consuming conventionally-grown fruits and vegetables.
Source: edition.cnn.com
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