Pesticides in Our Foods
Pesticides are harmful chemicals used to keep crops viable and growing by preventing disease. Pesticides reside on our fresh fruits and vegetables as they are treated with pesticides. They can also be in the meat we eat as the animals are fed crops also treated with pesticides.
Last night for dinner I had salad, chicken breast, and strawberries (all from Trader Joe's). After entering my food on the database, I discovered:
- Spinach has known/probable carcinogens, suspected hormone disruptors, and developmental or reproductive toxins.
- Chicken was not listed
- Strawberries had known/probable carcinogens, suspected hormone disruptors, and developmental or reproductive toxins.
I was surprised to find such harmful effects of foods that are generally considered healthy. I have made more of an effort to buy organic foods when I can afford it, but it is alarming to know so many Americans are being exposed to these harmful chemicals daily.
In terms of Public Health, I feel like this is an issue that should be addressed at the federal level to regulate the amount and what types of chemicals are in our crops. The European model seems much more advanced than ours. Not only do we need legislative action, but also need to bring awareness to the problem nationally.
From my reading, I found that EPA is confident that the fruits and vegetables our children are eating are safer than ever, Very small amounts of pesticides that may remain in or on fruits, vegetables, grains, and other foods decrease considerably as crops are harvested, transported, exposed to light, washed, prepared and cooked. So I am wondering is it safe or not ?
ReplyDeleteSelenne I was also surprised at the amount of pesticides found on healthy foods. We need to bring awareness to the problem nationally. It sucks that it is taking so long for the U.S. to make changes with the European model being advanced.
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