The foods you should always buy organic

Reduce your exposure to harmful pesticides by buying these foods organic

By Chloe Best, HELLO!

To buy organic or not? That is a question that shoppers are faced with at the supermarket, with many unsure whether it is worth spending more money on foods that have been grown without pesticides. However going organic doesn't have to be all or nothing. According to the Soil Association, which has launched the Organic September campaign, almost 300 pesticides can be routinely used in non-organic farming and are often present in non-organic food – but some foods are more contaminated than others.

These foods have been revealed by Pesticide Action Network UK (PAN UK) to be the most heavily sprayed with potentially harmful pesticides, and as a result are the ones you should always try to buy organic where possible.

The 20 fruit and vegetables you should always try to buy organic

These foods were found to have the highest levels of pesticide residues by (PAN UK) in tests between 2011 and 2015.

1. Oranges
2. Soft citrus fruits
3. Lemons and limes
4. Strawberries
5. Pears
6. Grapes
7. Seville oranges
8. Herbs
9. Apples
10. Cherries
11. Peaches and nectarines
12. Pineapple
13. Apricots
14. Banana
15. Prepacked salad leaves
16. Spring greens and kale
17. Pre prepared salad leaves
18. Cucumber
19. Berries
20. Raspberries

Other foods to consider buying organic

These starchy foods and grains were also found to have multiple pesticide residues when tested by PAN UK.

• Oats
• Wheat
• Cereal bars
• Rice
• Bread

The 20 best fruit and vegetables to buy non-organic

These fresh produce were found to have the least amount of pesticide residues, and therefore are generally okay to buy non-organic.

1. Beetroot
2. Cauliflower
3. Corn on the cob
4. Figs
5. Mushrooms
6. Onions
7. Rhubarb
8. Swede
9. Turnip
10. Peas
11. Spring Onions
12. Asparagus
13. Radish
14. Avocado
15. Peas without pods
16. Sweet potato
17. Leeks
18. Broad Beans
19. Pumpkin and squash
20. Broccoli