Fruits and vegetables: when to buy organic.(Trends)

In 2006, Americans spent $16.7 billion on organic foods, often fruits and vegetables. Because "organic" can mean "pricey," it makes sense to focus on buying organic versions of produce that is most likely to harbor pesticide residues when grown conventionally. The table below right lists the 16 worst offenders, based on a new analysis of government data by the Organic Center, a nonprofit research and advocacy group. There's less need to buy organic versions of other produce, especially bananas, citrus fruits, onions, and pineapples, whose skins or outer leaves aren't eaten.

Organic produce generally costs more than conventional. Organic apples bought by our mystery shoppers at stores in six states cost an average of $2.18 per pound, compared with $1.50 for conventional. Organic loose potatoes were $1.84 per pound; conventional, $1.05. (The price gap was less for bagged potatoes.)

Note that imported, conventionally grown fruits and vegetables--particularly cucumbers, grapes, lettuce, nectarines, peaches, and sweet bell peppers--might harbor far higher residues than homegrown counterparts. Even imports labeled organic might be cause for caution because some countries have less-reliable regulatory oversight than the U.S.

[ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

 
GO ORGANIC 
 
FRUITS         VEGETABLES 
 
Cranberries   Green beans 
Nectarines    Sweet bell peppers 
Peaches       Celery 
Strawberries  Cucumbers 
Pears         Potatoes 
Apples        Tomatoes 
Cherries      Peas 
Cantaloupe    Lettuce 
  ...