Sweet Treats and Bitter Truths
Grapes are one of the most heavily sprayed fruits, and their dried counterparts, raisins, carry high levels of pesticide residues. In 2018, the USDA tested raisins for the first time since 2007 and found that 99 percent of non-organic raisins had at least two pesticide residues. On average, the USDA tests found 16 different pesticides per sample. Yikes! This level of contamination would put raisins at the top of the Environmental Working Group’s Dirty Dozen list (if dried fruits were included).2 Now if this weren’t enough, the types of pesticides used in conventional grape farming are particularly concerning…
Neonics?! No Way!
Neonicotinoids are a class of synthetic pesticides that target insects’ nervous systems, and have also been linked to harming brain development in humans.3 4 These chemicals impair bees’ ability to forage, navigate, and reproduce, ultimately leading to colony collapse, and studies have shown neonicotinoids to be a major cause of worldwide bee population decline.5 One such neonic, imidacloprid, was detected on 84 percent of the raisins the USDA tested.6 Since organic farming prohibits the use of synthetic pesticides like neonics, organic raisins provide a bee-friendly alternative that is safer for all. Something as simple as choosing organic raisins helps to protect these vital pollinators, now that’s sweet!
Raisin’ the Bar on Processing Standards
Unfortunately, concerns about synthetic sprays don’t stop at the growing stage—drying processes can lead to higher concentrations of pesticide residues.7 What’s more, after the fruits are dried, conventional methods fumigate raisins with toxic gases to ward off pests during the storing and shipping phases, and studies have shown that fumigants such as ethylene oxide used on raisins and other dried fruits can leave harmful residues.8 9 It should be noted the USDA doesn’t test for fumigant residues.10 The fumigation process also puts workers in harm’s way of these dangerous fumigants, including reproductive effects and neurological damage. Organic standards prohibit the use of these fumigants, keeping them out of our lungs, off of our food, and out of the atmosphere.
The next time you’re shopping for raisins, go for the organic ones—you’ll be doing something sweet for yourself and the Earth!
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