By Ravi Kulasekere PhD, ND

A recent USDA report shows that more than half of the food samples we consume and feed our children tested for pesticide residue and some tested above the FDA allowed limit. The article states:

“. . . For the 10,545 samples analyzed, 47.8 percent of the samples had no detectable pesticides, 21.0 percent had one pesticide, and 31.2 percent of the samples had more than one pesticide.”

They do not say so in the article but we can safely assume that the foods tested were conventionally grown and not organic. Some were also grown outside the USA.

This revelation of pesticide residue in food should come as no surprise to anyone. When pesticides are being sprayed on our food, at times all the way up to harvest, it does not magically disappear when it comes from the field into your fridge. Some produce will not only have surface residue but will also absorb some of it. Consuming pesticides in any amount over an extended period of time is not healthy and can lead to many chronic and debilitating illnesses.

The article goes on to say:

"In addition, 642 samples were found to have pesticides for which no tolerance was established, including 444 fresh fruit and vegetable samples, 151 processed fruit/vegetable samples, 30 rice samples, and 17 wheat flour samples.

508 samples contained 1 pesticide for which no tolerance was established;

106 samples contained 2 pesticides for which no tolerance was established;

13 samples contained 3 pesticides for which no tolerance was established;

13 samples contained 4 pesticides for which no tolerance was established;

2 samples contained 7 pesticides for which no tolerance was established; and

20 samples also contained 1 pesticide each that exceeded an established tolerance".

This is absolutely unacceptable. If no tolerances are established, we all know that the industry would do nothing to keep levels lower. Therefore, you are pretty much consuming poison through your food. Why does the FDA and USDA not do anything about it? As you probably guessed they are very careful not to antagonize the Big-Ag lobby and if you fall ill their bed-fellows in Pharma would then start to profit from your illness. The comment made by the industry lobby group makes it clear:

"An industry group, the Alliance for Food and Farming, heralded the report as an all clear for consumers to eat as many fresh fruits and vegetables as possible."

What should you do?

• First of all, KNOW where your food is coming from. Shop at local farmers markets in the summer as the small farmers tend to use no pesticides or very little.
• Buy ORGANIC whenever possible. The extra price you pay will bring you much better returns in health, which is cheaper in the long run. Find local and nationwide chains that carry organic food for less. There are many.
• Go to a consumer advocacy page such as the Environmental Working Group and read up what foods that are grown conventionally are safe to consume and what foods are not. The EWG publishes a list of dirty foods and clean foods yearly. Carry that info in a note card when you go shopping.
• Buy food that is grown in a greenhouse as these tend to not use pesticides as much if at all.
• Most importantly GROW YOUR OWN FOOD in the summer. It is actually a great way to even teach your kids how to live in a sustainable way and it is fun. You don't need a lot of space or time to grow and if you have no space grow something in a container.
• Finally, read up or take a class locally to understand native edible plants in your own backyard. Nature provides a plethora of highly nutritious plants that grow native to your area and we are often told that these plants are noxious weeds and should be killed using poison. They are not and in fact you SHOULD NOT be spraying poison in your own backyard anyway. If you want to kill something, undiluted vinegar works just as well as any pricey poison you can buy at the store.

Dr Ravi Kulasekere PhD, ND BCHHP 

Do No Pharm Naturopathy LLC  

14900 Detroit Ave, Lakewood, OH 44107 

(330) 285-3247 donopharmnaturopathy@gmail.com