EWG Crowns The Superfood Avocado as Low-Pesticide Residue Champion
The Environmental Working Group’s (EWG) Shopper’s Guide to Pesticides in Produce™ contained an in-depth analysis of the most recent fruit and vegetable testing data from the Department of Agriculture and Food and Drug Administration. which included over 46,569 samples of 46 types of fruit and veg, with findings separated into two lists, the Clean 15™ and the Dirty Dozen™.

The best in class, with the lowest amounts of pesticide residue, were avocados and sweet corn, with pesticides being detected in less than 2% of the samples. Whereas 90% of the most-contaminated food samples, such as strawberries, apples, cherries, spinach, nectarines and grapes, contained residues of at least two pesticides.

Why Is the Avocado So Clean?
Avocados have thick, protective skin that serves as a natural barrier against pests, which significantly reduces avocado growers’ reliance on pesticides. This inherent characteristic, combined with responsible farming practices, contributes to avocados’ exceptional standing on the Clean 15 list.

Furthermore, the recognition of avocados as a clean fruit highlights the fact that avocado farms do not necessarily need to be organically certified in order for their fruits to be “clean” and low in pesticide residue. With avocados already meeting stringent standards for pesticide residue, farmers can instead focus their resources on other sustainable practices and ensuring the overall well-being of their crops.

As a result, consumers can confidently enjoy avocados, knowing they are consuming fruit with minimal exposure to potentially harmful chemicals.

Why should we reduce our pesticide intake?

To Stay Healthy

The European Environment Agency has recognised that the consumption of, and exposure to, pesticides can be toxic to humans and potentially linked to chronic illnesses such as cancer, and heart, respiratory and neurological diseases, and can also cause developmental delays in children.
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To Protect the Environment

Pesticides are not only potentially harmful to humans but also any living organism. Even when used to target a specific pest, they can still have a significant impact on entire ecosystems and drive down the population of pollinators, such as bees and other winged insects and animals, which are incredibly important for all life on the planet.

Therefore, the next time you are strolling down the fruit and vegetable aisle at the supermarket, think about the positive impact that low-pesticide fruits such as avocados can have on both your health and the environment around you.

About the World Avocado Organization
The World Avocado Organization is a non-profit organisation founded in 2016 whose members are avocado growers, exporters and importers from around the world – including the top four grower supplier countries to the EU and UK. The World Avocado Organization promotes the consumption of avocados based on their nutritional value and recognised health benefits. It also shares information and insights on avocado production, supply chains and sustainability with the public.