Can you wash pesticides off your food? A guide to eating fewer toxic chemicals

There are some simple steps you can take to minimize the amount of pesticides on your fruits and vegetables

To avoid pesticides, consider buying the fruits and vegetables that pose the least risk in a new analysis by Consumer Reports, and buying organic for those that pose the most. Below are answers to common questions about what other steps you can take.

Read more from this pesticide investigation:

We found unhealthy pesticide levels in 20% of US produce - here's what you need to know

Kale, watermelon and even some organic foods pose high pesticide risk, analysis finds

Blueberries and bell peppers: six fruits and vegetables with the most pesticide risk

What's safe to eat? Here is the pesticide risk level for each fruit and vegetable

This story was amended on 18 April 2024 to correct the name of the illustrator, whose name is Israel Vargas.