What’s ON Our Food? Let’s Take a Closer Look!

Ever thought about what might be hitching a ride on your fruits and veggies? Yep, we’re talking about pesticides. Even organic produce can have some residue—though much less than conventionally grown foods. And while pesticides are used to keep pests at bay, they’ve also raised some eyebrows when it comes to potential health concerns. Let’s break it down!

The Organic Lowdown:

• Less Residue: Organic produce tends to have lower pesticide levels than conventional options.

• Natural Alternatives: Organic farming uses biopesticides, which include things like botanical insecticides, microbial treatments, and mineral-based solutions.

• Still a Choice: It’s up to you to decide if even lower pesticide levels are worth the effort (or the price).

According to NPR (2024), the EPA sets legal limits on how much pesticide residue can remain on produce. But organizations like the Environmental Working Group caution: Just because it’s legal doesn’t mean it’s totally risk-free.

Food for Thought

U.S. News (2023) reassures us that the health benefits of eating fruits and veggies far outweigh the risks of pesticide residue. But, if you're like me, you might wonder: What happens if these residues build up over time?

Consumer Reports lists some of the most worrisome pesticides (like glyphosate and dicamba) and points out that while they’re allowed, their potential risks—like being linked to cancer—make them worth thinking about.

My Game Plan for Pesticide Peace of Mind

Here’s what works for me:

1. Organic First: I prioritize buying organic, especially for produce I don’t peel (like berries, apples, and leafy greens).

2. Wash It All: Every piece of produce gets a deep clean before it hits my fridge or counter.

3. Garrnish Fan Club: I discovered a product called Garrnish, researched it, and now swear by it! After washing my grapes with water, I tried the Garrnish bath—it was a game-changer. It removes 99.9% of pesticides and chemicals (lab-tested!). Unlike other produce washes, Garrnish doesn’t leave that weird white residue.

   
   

Your Turn to Decide

Here are some questions to chew on:

• Organic or not?

• How much effort do you want to put into cleaning your produce?

• What’s the balance between convenience and health for you?

At the end of the day, eating fruits and veggies is one of the best things you can do for your health. How you handle what’s ON them is up to you!

Garrnish (15% off when you use this link)

Super easy to use, large tub (and it collapses for easy storage), 10 minutes per cycle (feel free to do it more than once for those dirty dozen fruits and veggies). My process is to shop, run everything through the Garrnish wash, dry on my counters on clean towels and put them into fridge storage containers or produce bags until use. Everything is washed and can be grabbed and used quickly and with peace of mind! Well worth the effort!

Articles:

Should You Worry About Pesticides on Your Produce? | U.S. News

Pesticides on produce: Things to consider when choosing your fruits and veggies : NPR

The Six Most Concerning Pesticides on Produce - Consumer Reports

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