Fruits and vegetables are widely known as some of the healthiest foods people can eat. They provide vitamins, fiber, antioxidants, and many nutrients that help protect the body from disease.
Health experts usually encourage people to eat a wide variety of fresh produce every day to support heart health, digestion, and overall well‑being.
However, a new analysis suggests that some fruits and vegetables may also carry small traces of chemicals used in agriculture. Researchers from the Environmental Working Group, often called EWG, reviewed testing data from California and found that many produce samples contained residues of a group of chemicals known as PFAS.
PFAS stands for per‑ and polyfluoroalkyl substances. These chemicals are often called “forever chemicals” because they break down extremely slowly in the environment.
Once they enter soil, water, or the human body, they can remain there for many years. Scientists have been increasingly concerned about PFAS because some of them have been linked to health problems.
PFAS are used in many products besides pesticides. They appear in nonstick cookware, water‑resistant clothing, electronics, food packaging, and firefighting foams. In agriculture, certain PFAS compounds are used in pesticides and fungicides that help protect crops from insects, mold, and other threats.
To better understand how often these chemicals appear in food, EWG researchers examined pesticide testing results from California’s Department of Pesticide Regulation. They reviewed data from 930 produce samples representing 78 different types of conventionally grown fruits and vegetables.
The analysis found that 348 of the 930 samples contained traces of PFAS pesticides. This means about 37 percent of the produce tested had detectable amounts of these chemicals. Overall, 40 of the 78 crops tested showed some level of PFAS pesticide residues.
Some fruits showed particularly high levels of contamination. Nectarines, plums, and peaches stood out the most. More than 90 percent of samples from these fruits contained a PFAS pesticide known as fludioxonil. This chemical is commonly used as a fungicide to prevent mold from growing on fruit during storage and shipping.
Other fruits also showed high levels of pesticide residues. The analysis found PFAS pesticides in more than 80 percent of samples of cherries, strawberries, and grapes. Among all the fruits tested, strawberries contained the largest variety of PFAS pesticides. Researchers detected ten different PFAS chemicals in strawberry samples.
These findings are notable because strawberries and grapes are major crops in California. According to agricultural data, strawberries brought in about three billion dollars in farm sales in 2023, while grapes generated about 6.5 billion dollars. Because these fruits are widely grown and consumed, many people may be exposed to these pesticide residues.
Scientists are concerned about PFAS because some studies have linked them to possible health risks. Research suggests that certain PFAS chemicals may affect the immune system, reproductive health, and development in children. Some have also been associated with hormone changes and other long‑term health problems.
Another major concern is how long these chemicals last in the environment. Unlike many other chemicals that break down over time, PFAS can persist for years or even decades. This persistence is why they are often called “forever chemicals.” Once released into soil or water, they can continue circulating through ecosystems and food chains.
The analysis also highlighted issues related to pesticide regulation. In the United States, nearly 70 pesticides that fit the definition of PFAS are currently registered with the Environmental Protection Agency. These chemicals make up about 14 percent of all pesticide ingredients used in agriculture.
Records from California show that 52 different PFAS pesticides were used on farmland in the state between 2018 and 2023. Researchers estimate that farmers apply about 2.5 million pounds of these pesticides on California crops each year.
Even though these findings may sound worrying, health experts emphasize that fruits and vegetables remain essential for a healthy diet. The benefits of eating produce are well established, and avoiding fruits and vegetables entirely would likely harm health rather than help it.
There are still ways people can reduce their exposure to pesticide residues. Washing fruits and vegetables thoroughly under running water can remove some chemicals and dirt from the surface. Peeling certain fruits may also reduce exposure, although this may remove some nutrients as well.
Some shoppers also use resources such as EWG’s “Shopper’s Guide to Pesticides in Produce,” which lists produce that tends to have higher or lower pesticide residues. Another option is choosing organic produce, which does not allow the use of PFAS pesticides.
The testing data also showed that some produce samples had no detectable PFAS pesticide residues. These included sweet potatoes, cauliflower, tomatoes, watermelon, mushrooms, sweet corn, and avocados.
The findings highlight the growing conversation about how chemicals used in agriculture affect food and the environment. As scientists continue studying PFAS and their possible health effects, researchers hope the information will help guide safer farming practices and better consumer choices.
If you care about nutrition, please read studies about the best time to take vitamins to prevent heart disease, and vitamin D supplements strongly reduce cancer death.
For more information about nutrition, please see recent studies about plant nutrient that could help reduce high blood pressure, and these antioxidants could help reduce dementia risk.
Copyright © 2026 Knowridge Science Report. All rights reserved.
