| If you’re like my family, we go bananas for apples, especially during this time of the year! I love the convenience and affordability of them and rarely have a day where I don’t find a way to include this delicious, sweet fruit into our meals or snacks.According to a study recently published in Pediatrics, children throughout the United States eat apples more than any other fruit, as apple consumption accounts for 18.9 percent of fruit intake among children ages 2 to 19.
If you’re not buying organic apples, consider making the switch as the average conventionally grown apple has more pesticide residue on it than any other fruit or vegetable.
The Mayo Clinic has reported that conventional growers use synthetic pesticides to protect their crops from molds, insects and diseases. Organic farmers use insect traps, careful crop selection (disease-resistant varieties), predator insects or beneficial microorganisms instead to control crop-damaging pests.
The Environmental Working group, a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization dedicated to protecting human health and the environment, singles out produce with the highest pesticide loads for its Dirty Dozen list, published annually. This year’s report has apples topping the list for the fifth year in a row. EWG analysts use six metrics to rank produce including, the total number of pesticides detected on a crop and the percent of samples tested with detectable pesticides. The guide is based on testing by the USDA and the federal Food and Drug Administration.
Up to 47 different toxic pesticides have been found on conventional apples after testing. This includes six known or probable carcinogens, sixteen suspected hormone disruptors, five neurotoxins and six developmental or reproductive toxins.
Buying organic may mean more than avoiding pesticides, as earlier this year the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved two varieties of apples genetically engineered by Okanagan Specialty Fruits, Inc.
According to the FDA, Okanagan’s Granny Smith and Golden Delicious varieties of apples, known collectively by the trade name “Arctic Apples,” are genetically engineered to resist browning associated with cuts and bruises by reducing levels of enzymes that can cause browning.
While it will likely take a few years for Arctic apples to be widely available because trees first have to be planted and then become mature enough to bear fruit, it’s a good idea to start buying organic now if you’d like to avoid these genetically modified varieties. Because GMOs aren’t required to be labeled as such, consumers won’t know if their conventional apple is genetically engineered or not. Organic foods are required to be free from GMOs, so buying organic will ensure you avoid them.
The fall is a beautiful season that allows for ample opportunity to pick, eat or cook with apples. For optimal health, choose organic!
Samantha Adams lives in Jackson with her husband, Greg, and her two sons, Gavin and Jackson. She works full-time in medical sales and is working passionately to help educate our community as it relates to health and wellness. Visit her on Facebook on “If You Seek Nutrition.” |
