Peel waxed produce if possible. Waxing can trap food pesticide residues, naturally occurring fungi, and benomyl, a fungicide that is often added to waxes to prevent spoilage during shipping. Try growing some of your own produce. Weed plots and remove pests manually. Percentages of pesticide residues found in some common domestic and imported fruits and vegetables.
Percentages indicate the percent of the product tested that contained pesticide residues.
For example, the F.D.A. recently pulled all boxes of two popular cereals because the maufacturer used oats contaminated with a chemical not registered for use on oats, chlorpyrifosmethyl. Consumers simultaneously demand high quality agricultural products and food that is free of toxic chemicals. Being Americans, we refuse to eat worm laden apples or corn that has little wiggly caterpillars sticking out of the kernels. Although entomologists are working hard to develop alternative forms of pest control, consumers may need to change their views on the aesthetics of their food and be willing to eat blemished fruits and vegetables. Dr. Craig D. Reid holds a Ph.D. in entomology.