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Go Organic

12/27/2017

3 Comments

 
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Environmental Health News (repost)
New data released recently by the FDA shows a disturbing rise in the occurrence of pesticide residues detected in thousands of samples of commonly consumed foods. In addition, the latest USDA residue report found that fruits and vegetables showed the highest frequency of pesticide residues in the findings.

Of the 10,000 foods sampled, roughly 82 percent of domestic American fruits and 62 percent of domestic vegetables carried residues of weed killers, insecticides and other pesticides commonly used by farmers. Among the domestic food samples, FDA said 97 percent of apples, 83 percent of grapes, 60 percent of tomatoes, 57 percent of mushrooms and 53 percent of plums carried residues. Looking at imported fruits and vegetables, the FDA found that roughly 51 percent of imported fruits and 47 percent of imported vegetables carried residues. Overall, the imported foods had more illegally high levels of pesticide residues than did domestic foods sampled. (12/21)

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These pesticides are poisons that persist in our soil, contaminate our water, drift in the air, and are in and on our flowers and foods. The constant and accelerated use of pesticides in the last forty years is not only killing insect pests, but also the myriad of beneficial flora, fauna, and soil micro-organisms that provide us with the ecosystem services that keep our planet balanced. The evidence is clear that our children are also at risk, as pesticides are undermining our children’s health and intelligence. Unfortunately, this information is not readily available to the public and is not making the headlines that it deserves. Luckily, watchdog groups are creating user-friendly apps and websites so you can be informed and make safe choices for your family.
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To see what's on your food visit Pesticide Action Network's
What's On My Food?

Warning: prepare to be absolutely terrified

Find out what's on your food at: whatsonmyfood.org
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...this is just a partial list of the toxin residues found on apples :^(
3 Comments
Skeggley
12/28/2017 01:42:23 pm

Here in West Australia we don't have the dirty dozen pesticides used over there, infact some of the pesticides used on orchards are the same as used in organic methods. As a consequence more fruit is spoilt driving prices up. Speaking to a stone fruit grower last season 80% loss! Often we see imported fruit in supermarkets cheaper than locally grown fruit, I shudder to think about the pesticides used on these yet they still fly out the door and end up in lunch boxes.

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Tracey
12/28/2017 02:30:16 pm

Hi Skeggley!
Thanks for checking out my blog :^)
That is good news for you and the WA pollinators that you are not inundated with super-toxic pesticides. Why is so much fruit spoiling?

Reply
Skeggley
12/29/2017 03:10:14 pm

The Mediterranean fruit fly (Ceratitis capitata) is the culprit. They get into everything from stone fruit to citrus, yes lemons too... I've even heard of medfly in olives! Systemic pesticides are banned in food crops and thanks to unmanaged backyard trees, growing some fruits here is a waste of effort. Many orchards are now being sold to developers.
I still count myself lucky that, thanks to our state biosecurity, we don't have a lot of pests and diseases everyone else has to deal with though.

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    Author

    Tracey Byrne~

    I taught K-12 students from north of the Arctic Circle to the Puget Sound Ecoregion, garnering  40 years of experience as a classroom teacher, learning mentor, and private tutor. 

    I spent most of the 1980s and 90s in Alaska flying airplanes, floating wild rivers, winter camping, teaching, parenting, and living off the grid. 

    Here in Seattle, I am an advocate for environmental stewardship, place-based education, and outdoor play. I share my enthusiasm for birds, bugs, and backyards and have been a featured writer and photographer for Pacific Horticulture. 
    ​

    All photographs © T. Byrne unless otherwise noted.

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