Pesticides on the fruit and veg in shops

amandstu · 24-03-2026 01:17PM #1

https://edition.cnn.com/2026/03/24/health/2026-dirty-dozen-pesticide-produce-wellness

This article seems to apply to USA.Is the situation any better here ?

If it Is better, can we avoid American produce ?Is the provenance always cllearly labeled?

I always try to waswash them in water anyway ,although with some stuff like raspberries it is a bit tricky.

igCorcaigh · 24-03-2026 01:24PM

In the EU (and Ireland), pesticide residues are tightly regulated and monitored, but detectable residues still happen.

So, not as bad as the US; organic is obviously the better alternative if it's a concern.

I think some people use baking soda to wash their fruit?

Allinall · 24-03-2026 01:26PM

I’d prefer pesticides to pests.

igCorcaigh · 24-03-2026 01:37PM

If it Is better, can we avoid American produce ?Is the provenance always cllearly labeled?

America allows some pesticides that are banned in the EU, so we don't get those, but yeah, their produce may carry pesticides not normally used here, or at higher levels maybe. Not sure.

igCorcaigh · 24-03-2026 01:37PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124336917#Comment_124336917

I’d prefer pests to pesticides! 😎

But then again, I'm not a farmer or food producer.

amandstu · 24-03-2026 02:08PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124336913#Comment_124336913

"I think some people use baking soda to wash their fruit?"

Apparently so.

My granny used to put something like that in the cooking water for cabbage I seem to remember .

carraigin · 24-03-2026 02:12PM

Certain pesticides can penetrate the peel of the produce. Rinsing has some effect but there will be residue and in some cases the peel has lots of useful nutrients. Overall, organic produce is better value for money.

igCorcaigh · 24-03-2026 02:13PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124337019#Comment_124337019

Oh! Perhaps to soften the cabbage? That's done a lot of time for pulses. Like the tablet that comes with marrowfat peas…

Dial Hard · 24-03-2026 02:26PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058436259/pesticides-on-the-fruit-and-veg-in-shops

The entire food system from farm to fork is vastly different in the EU compared to the US, for both meat and produce. But the amount of fresh fruit and veg from the US that makes it onto the shelves here is negligible, afaik.

The best advice I can give is not to get your nutritional/food safety advice from US sources, tbh. You'll be asking where to get grass-fed beef and butter next...

elperello · 24-03-2026 06:22PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058436259/pesticides-on-the-fruit-and-veg-in-shops

Just on the labelling, the country of origin is shown on all fruit and veg in the supermarkets.

Pesticides on the fruit and veg in shops

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