Cilantro is Loaded with Pesticides, but Probably Won't Kill You

Buy organic, fresh herbs at your local farmers market.

The USDA regularly tests produce for pesticides and other chemicals - and they were surprised to find cilantro (the first fresh herb tested) was absolutely loaded with pesticides. The Tribune's Monica Eng reported that 94% of the samples taken by the USDA tested positive for at least one pesticide, and 44% showed pesticides not approved for use in Cilantro - the number in apples was 2%.

Fresh herbs are a big growth sector of the produce market, and they are often super expensive at the grocery store. This sometimes leads us to forget that they aren't necessarily organic or fancy. The Tribune also reported that most of the pesticides weren't found in dangerous levels, as established by the EPA. But a few were - one pesticide occurred at more than three times the acceptable level.

In case you're wondering, just washing the cilantro doesn't get the pesticide residue off. Our suggestion? Grow it yourself or buy organic.

Contact the author of this article or email tips@chicagoist.com with further questions, comments or tips.

By Anthony Todd in Food on June 1, 2011 10:20 AM

Comments [rss]

Durwood

I've found that it's difficult to grow cilantro...it morphs into a stalky useless weed halfway through the summer, no matter how many times you cut it back. I haven't figured out how to grow it well, so I'll take my chances with pesticides.

Rosemary_Woodhouse

Me too. I can't figure out how to grow cilantro without it going to seed and becoming coriander.

Sorailes

Honestly, just keep a bunch of seeds around and stagger your sowing. Plant more when you first harvest the leaves, or a little earlier. It does bolt super quick!

Navin_Johnson

I'd like to grow some at home again, unfortunately that doesn't help me out and around town where my favorite food in the world (a steak taco) isn't a steak taco unless it's got lots of cilantro on it. Bummer.

thatdudeguydude

Indeed, grow your own. Raising an herb garden is not only pretty easy, but extremely rewarding. Nothing like clipping off some fresh herbs before preparing dinner. And cilantro grows like a weed, you will never have a shortage. Now if I only had room for a chicken coop...