Is organic worth the higher price?
Strawberries are a hard crop to grow and susceptible to insects and other pests, including spoilage microbes.
Warriner underscores the stringent regulations governing pesticide use.
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Therefore, even though pesticide residues are present, they would be low levels.
So consumers should not be overly worried as the benefits of fruits and vegetables outweigh the negative.
Does Washing Remove the Pesticides on Strawberries?
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Its a good idea to wash all produce before you eat it.
That can lower the risk of foodborne illness, but cleaning wont always remove pesticides.
You may notice that some strawberries have a waxy coating to prevent mold growth, says Warriner.
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This is not easily removed by washing and even without the coating, washing would only remove a proportion.
Cooking is effective to kill the microbes, but chemical residues remain under thermal processing.
What About Organic Strawberries?
The organization recommends that shoppers opt for organic versions of the foodslike strawberrieson the list.
Warriner says the organic label doesnt mean no pesticides were used, but there are usually more restrictions.
Although organic would imply pesticide-free, the reality is that pesticides can be used when needed, he says.
Organic growers may select cultivars that have natural resistance to some pests and grow in soil-free systems with coverings.
Buying organic can be a choice for shoppers who want to know they are getting fewer contaminants.
