What’s On My Food? Searchable Database Reveals Toxicology of Pesticide Residue

Pesticides on FoodYou’ve likely heard of Skin Deep, the cosmetic safety database which lists the toxicity of ingredients in personal care products.  But did you know there is now a similar database for food?

What’s On My Food, a brand-new searchable database launched yesterday by the Pesticide Action Network, will give you the inside scoop on exactly what chemicals are on the food you eat.  With just a click of the mouse, you can view the toxicology risk and known pesticide residues on everything from almonds to oats to winter squash .

For instance,  did you know 82% of conventional applesauce contains Carbendazim, an endocrine disruptor known to cause tumors in rats and ranked by Friends for Earth as one of the “Filthy Four” pesticides? Suddenly organic applesauce doesn’t seem quite so expensive, and the thought of making it at home doesn’t seem nearly as daunting.

The helpful — if not somewhat disturbing — website details each pesticide’s risk to human health by placing each chemical in one of the following toxicological categories:

  • Carcinogen
  • Hormone Disrupters
  • Neurotoxin
  • Developmental/Reproductive Toxins

Data used to compile this database was gathered from the EPA’s Pesticide Reregistration Decisions, the Pesticide Info Database, and the USDA’s Pesticide Data Program.

Image via Jekrub on Flickr under a Creative Commons License

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4 Comments

  1. Oh my gosh, that is awful. Who knew applesauce could be so scary? Yikes! If you find a great homemade recipe, let us know.

  2. Thanks so much for sharing this link!

  3. Wow! The commercial food industry is actually far worse than previously imagined.
    And, yes, I will keep making my home-made applesauce from apple trees that have never been sprayed! Thanks for the great information!

  4. This provides all the more impetus to eat organic, eat local. Go to your farmer’s market, meet the farmers, go to the farms, see where your food comes from.

    Kate - applesauce might be the easiest thing in the world to make.
    1. Buy or pick organic apples (6 or so, I like to mix tart and sweet varieties).
    2. Peel the apples, and cut into chunks.
    3. Toss them into a crock pot with 1/2 cup of water.
    4. Add cinnamon to taste (1-2 tsp).
    5. Cook for a few hours, stirring occasionally.
    6. You are done! Enjoy!

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