06/08/2026
Have you heard about THE DIRTY DOZEN?
Choosing organic is always a great idea. However, some fruits and vegetables carry higher levels of pesticide residues, making that choice even more important.
PAN UK (Pesticide Action Network UK) analyses government-collected data each year to identify the top 12 types of produce containing the highest levels of harmful pesticide residues.
This year's findings show the following:
(Produce to buy organic due to high levels of pesticide residues)
1. Strawberries 🍓
2. Spinach 🍃
3. Kale, collard, and mustard greens 🥬
4. Grapes 🍇
5. Peaches 🍑
6. Pears 🍐
7. Nectarines 🍑
8. Apples 🍎
9. Cherries 🍒
10. Blueberries 🫐
11. Blackberries
12. Potatoes 🥔
Simply making a conscious effort to buy these foods organic, when you can, is a great way to reduce your exposure to pesticide residues while also helping you reap the most benefits from your food.
How can that be? 🥗
PHYTONUTRIENTS are natural compounds produced by plants to protect themselves from stressors such as pests, UV radiation, fungi, and more. 🌻🍄
The more natural stressors a plant has to deal with, the more phytonutrients it produces. Without the "help" of chemical pesticides used in conventional farming, organically grown produce has to work harder to defend itself, meaning it often contains higher levels of these beneficial compounds.
And the best part? These phytonutrients offer multiple health benefits, acting as potent antioxidants and anti-inflammatory compounds in the human body.
Here at Manuka, all our fruit and vegetables are certified organic. 💚
