Finding a pesticide residue on food does not automatically mean that food is unsafe. It does, however, raise a reasonable question: where are residues most likely to occur, and what…

“Dirty Dozen” is the name given to an annual list of fruits and vegetables that, in tests, are more likely than others to carry detectable pesticide residues. It can be…

Glyphosate dangers: what are the risks to health and water quality? Glyphosate is one of the most widely used herbicides in the world. It is applied to control weeds in…

A bag of spinach and a punnet of strawberries can look like a healthy, straightforward choice. But some shoppers see those foods on the Environmental Working Group’s “Dirty Dozen” list…

The “Dirty Dozen” is one of the most recognisable food lists in the United States. Published each year by the Environmental Working Group (EWG), it highlights conventionally grown fruit and…

Organic food is often associated with fewer synthetic chemicals, but “organic” does not mean “pesticide-free”. Organic farmers can use certain pesticides when needed, provided they meet strict rules. And both…

Fresh produce is often presented as an uncomplicated choice: colourful, nutritious and good for you. But some fruit and vegetables carry traces of pesticides used to protect crops from insects,…

“Organic” is often taken to mean pesticide-free. It sounds reassuring: no synthetic chemicals on crops, no residues on food and no pesticides entering soil or water. But the reality is…

Strawberries are a summertime favourite, but their delicate skin and close contact with the soil can prompt a familiar question: could pesticide residues on the fruit pose a risk to…