I don’t know about you, but strawberries are definately one of my summertime favorites. Unfortunately, after some revealing research lead me to uncover just how much of a dousing these beauties receive………..I’ll think twice before I purchase the  non-organic variety.

Just how bad does it get?  Well, to the tune of 9,274,453 pounds of pesticides used at an average of 279.44 lbs. per acre on 33,190 acres. This just happens to be the higest average pesticide use on any fruit or veggie! Can you say hormone disruption………cancer………….birth defects!

The most commonly used pesticide was Chloropicrin, but you might know it by it’s more common name of tear gas.

Second most used pesticide was Methyl bromide, that just happens to be a ozone destroyer.

A few more facts to brighten your day……..92.3% of the berries tested had pesticide residues. 69.2% of berries tested had two or more residues. Of the 109 pesticides used on strawberries, 38 were detectable on berry samples.

According to the Enviormental Working Group, strawberries were the second-most pesticide contaminated fruit.

Of course pregmant women, children, and the elderly will be most at risk from eating this fruit, but the truth is we are ALL at risk.

So, shop wisely, buy organic whenever possible and at the very least wash with a good quality organic soap. My favorite Masters Miracle II.