In the past couple of years, the EU has significantly reduced the level of dyes that can safely be fed to farmed salmon, because of concerns that the dyes, at high levels, can affect people’s eyesight. If you have to eat farmed salmon, European-produced salmon is the safest.
Fish for purity
Oily fish show fairly high levels of pesticide and chemical residue. However, many of the fish tested are probably farmed and if you buy organic farmed or wild-caught versions, the residues are much lower.
Remember to wash
In recent studies, the foods most contaminated with pesticides were found to be apples, peppers, celery, cherries and grapes. You should make sure you wash these items thoroughly, immersing them in water and drying carefully.
Add the good news…
Not all food preservatives are bad news – the antioxidant food preservative BHT, which is used to prevent fat from going rancid in packaged foods, is currently being researched as a cure for cold sores. As with all preservatives, however, there are still so many gaps in the knowledge it’s best to avoid them where possible.
Chemical Cocktail
An astounding 447 chemicals are available to non-organic farmers, and around 31,000 tonnes are used every year. The most dangerous have been lined with a range of problems including cancer, decreasing male fertility, foetal abnormalitie,s chronic fatigue syndrome in children and Parkinson’s disease, so choosing organic is safest.
Water retention
Chemicals, such as pesticides and fertilizers, sprayed on foods during the growing process are thought to be held for longer in watery fruit and vegetables, such as cucumbers and watermelons.
What’s your poison?
Most people thin fruit and vegetables are higher in pesticide residues than other foods but according to a report by the FDA in the USA, the highest residues are actually found in bread, flour and potatoes. Buying organic versions of these foods will dramatically reduce residues, although there may still be some traces.
Organic is best
While non-organic farmers have hundreds of pesticides at their disposal, only four substances are used on UK Soil Association organic farms – sulphur, soft soap, copper and rotenone. The latter two are “restricted”, which means that organic farmers must prove there is no alternative before they can be used.
A plum deal
The five fruits shown to be least contaminated with residues in the UK are star fruit, plums, peaches, kiwi fruit and hardskinned exotic fruit like passion fruit and pomegranate.
Peel away pesticides
An apple a day is supposed to keep the doctor away, but the average eating apple – the most pesticide-heavy fruit – has been sprayed 18 times with many different chemicals. Most of the residues of chemical fertilizers and pesticides stay on the skin. If you buy non-organic apples, make sure you peel them or at least wash them thoroughly. This will also remove dirt and bacteria.
Pill popping
Total farm antibiotic use has increased by 11% in three years in the UK – many intensively reared farm animals in the UK are still given antibiotics in their feed on a daily basis. There resistance that is built up by the animals as a result is thought, in turn, to contribute to antibiotic resistance in humans. The only way to be sure you’re not getting a dose is to eat organic meat.
Crack the conspiracy
Many people think eggs are safe from pesticide residues and dangerous chemicals because they’re covered with a hard shell, but in fact they are just as susceptible as poultry meat. Choosing organic will help you be sure you eggs are pure.
Try to resist
The USA has already banned enrofloxacin, a drug that causes resistnace to the important medical antibiotic ciprofloxacin, which is added to the drinking water of chickens and turkeys. However, it’s still used in the UK on many non-organic farms.
Best of the bunch
Among the foods found to be least contaminated with pesticide residues worldwide are asparagus, avocados, bananas and broccoli, so you can generally eat these without worrying, although it’s still safest to wash before use. Other good choices are corn on the cob, cauliflower, marrow, squash and swede.
Pick your pork
The drug tylosin is routinely added to intensively farmed pig feed to control disease. It is also thought to increase levels of the hospital superbug VRE and to cause resistance to antibiotics used to treat food poisoning. Become an informed consumer.
Liver your timbers
Be extra careful to choose organic when you’re buying animal products where toxins may be concentrated, like offal. The chemical nicarbazin, which has been shown to cause birth defects and hormonal problems in animals, has been found in amounts up to 20 times the legal limit in chicken livers.
Can you stomach it ?
In the past, the enzyme chymosin, used in hard cheeses, was taken from the stomach linings of calves. Since the GM variety was introduced in 1990, it is used in more than 70% of US cheese. Its use is not allowed in organic cheese. In the UK, chymosin is used in the production of vegetarian cheeses, and does not require labeling.
Wash organics too
Don’t assume that just because your foods are organic they’ll be pesticide free. Most of the residues found in organic foods are probably the unavoidable results of environmental contamination in the past, or by drift when sprays are blown in from non-organic farms. Be sure to wash ALL fruit and vegetables.
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