Pesticides and fungicides in fruit and vegetables

[danmcq]

This topic had come up several times in various threads on our forum. I thought I would share some information on this topic as a good guideline to use. There is constant testing by many laboratories on this and they have produced lists of the most and least contaminated.

 

Here are the worst and best lists:

 

EWG's 2011 Shopper's Guide

to Pesticides in Produce™

 

Worst - Highest in Pesticides

 

1. Apples

2. Celery

3. Strawberries

4. Peaches

5. Spinach

6. Nectarines

7. Grapes

8. Sweet bell peppers

9. Potatoes

10. Blueberries

11. Lettuce

12. Kale/collard greens

 

Best - Lowest in Pesticides

 

1. Onions

2. Corn

3. Pineapples

4. Avocado

5. Asparagus

6. Sweet peas

7. Mangoes

8. Eggplant

9. Cantaloupe

10. Kiwi

11. Cabbage

12. Watermelon

13. Sweet potatoes

14. Grapefruit

15. Mushrooms

 

Please make certain you thoroughly wash all Fruit and Vegetables with water and vinegar before yourself or your bird eating them. If you can afford it, buy Organic!

[Talon]

Excellent Dan! Thanks for taking the time to post this!

[Brat Birds]

Even though onion is on top of the good list, I have always heard it is not good for parrots. The same with avocado and mushrooms. Any trouble with any of these??

[danmcq]

Hi Bratbirds - Your right. This is the list for the top 10 worst and top 15 best provided by EWG's 2011 Shopper's Guide based on epa findings. It is not a bird safe list.

 

I appreciate your bringing this up. Onions, Avacado's and Mushrooms should not be given to our birds.