Lemons
2023 monitoring
Residues were detected less often in the organic samples.
See the evidence for lemons →Guides
Start with the question you actually have.
Short, evidence-led explanations designed to prevent a monitoring number from becoming a health claim.
Where could buying organic make the biggest difference?Compare the foods you buy using sample-aware evidence.
Standard-grown means food not identified as organic in the source data; the monitoring reports call this conventional.
Each card compares the latest included Great Britain monitoring results. Larger samples provide a broader snapshot, but detection frequency is not a health-risk score.
Wheat
2021 monitoring
Residues were detected less often in the organic samples.
See the evidence for wheat →
Bananas
2024 monitoring
Residues were detected less often in the organic samples.
See the evidence for bananas →
Apples
2025 monitoring
Residues were detected less often in the organic samples.
See the evidence for apples →
Rye flour
2026 monitoring
Residues were detected less often in the organic samples.
See the evidence for rye flour →
Rye
2020 monitoring
Residues were detected less often in the organic samples.
See the evidence for rye →
Cucumbers
2022 monitoring
Residues were detected less often in the organic samples.
See the evidence for cucumbers →
Onions
2026 monitoring
Residues were detected less often in the organic samples.
See the evidence for onions →
Wheat flour
2024 monitoring
Residues were detected less often in the organic samples.
See the evidence for wheat flour →
Sweet peppers
2024 monitoring
Residues were detected less often in the organic samples.
See the evidence for sweet peppers →
Tomatoes
2025 monitoring
Residues were detected less often in the organic samples.
See the evidence for tomatoes →
Oats
2025 monitoring
Residues were detected less often in the organic samples.
See the evidence for oats →
Cabbage
2025 monitoring
Residues were detected less often in the organic samples.
See the evidence for cabbage →
Apple juice
2025 monitoring
Residues were detected less often in the organic samples.
See the evidence for apple juice →
Lentils
2018 monitoring
Residues were detected less often in the organic samples.
See the evidence for lentils →
Raisins and dried grapes
2026 monitoring
Residues were detected less often in the organic samples.
See the evidence for raisins and dried grapes →
Celery
2025 monitoring
Residues were detected less often in the organic samples.
See the evidence for celery →
Lettuce
2025 monitoring
Residues were detected less often in the organic samples.
See the evidence for lettuce →
Mushrooms
2024 monitoring
Residues were detected less often in the organic samples.
See the evidence for mushrooms →
Broccoli
2024 monitoring
Residues were detected less often in the organic samples.
See the evidence for broccoli →
Rice
2026 monitoring
Residues were detected less often in the organic samples.
See the evidence for rice →
Sweet potatoes
2020 monitoring
Residues were detected less often in the organic samples.
See the evidence for sweet potatoes →
Avocados
2022 monitoring
Residues were detected less often in the organic samples.
See the evidence for avocados →
Wine
2025 monitoring
Residues were detected less often in the organic samples.
See the evidence for wine →
Spring greens
2021 monitoring
Residues were detected less often in the organic samples.
See the evidence for spring greens →
Gluten-free food
2016 monitoring
Residues were detected less often in the organic samples.
See the evidence for gluten-free food →
Spinach
2025 monitoring
Residues were detected less often in the organic samples.
See the evidence for spinach →
Olive oil
2024 monitoring
Residues were detected less often in the organic samples.
See the evidence for olive oil →
Soya products
2017 monitoring
Residues were detected less often in the organic samples.
See the evidence for soya products →
Garlic
2024 monitoring
Residues were detected less often in the organic samples.
See the evidence for garlic →
Soft cheese
2018 monitoring
Residues were detected less often in the organic samples.
See the evidence for soft cheese →
Speciality dried beans
2017 monitoring
Residues were detected less often in the organic samples.
See the evidence for speciality dried beans →
Dried beans
2026 monitoring
Residues were detected less often in the organic samples.
See the evidence for dried beans →
Lamb
2020 monitoring
Residues were detected less often in the organic samples.
See the evidence for lamb →
Hard cheese
2020 monitoring
Residues were detected less often in the organic samples.
See the evidence for hard cheese →
Beetroot
2024 monitoring
Residues were detected less often in the organic samples.
See the evidence for beetroot →
Honey
2024 monitoring
Residues were detected less often in the organic samples.
See the evidence for honey →Use this with your own shopping list
- Save foods you buy regularly.
- Look for a clear difference supported by useful sample counts.
- Decide where an organic premium matters most to your budget.
- Revisit the choice when a new annual survey is published.
What does above an MRL mean?A legal limit, not a toxicity score.
Maximum residue levels help regulators check whether pesticides have been used correctly. A result above one needs investigation, but does not automatically establish consumer harm.
Three different questions
- Was a residue detected?
- A laboratory measured it above the reporting threshold.
- Was the reported result above its MRL?
- The measured number exceeded the legal limit printed for that record.
- Was there a consumer health risk?
- That requires a separate exposure and toxicology assessment by the competent authority.
How Residue Lens labels this
Our metric is a numerical parser comparison, not the official non-compliance outcome. We keep that wording beside the result because rounding, measurement uncertainty and regulatory assessment matter.
Does washing remove pesticide residues?Sensible hygiene, not a residue guarantee.
Rinsing and preparing produce can reduce dirt and some residues on the surface, but no household method removes every pesticide residue.
The useful distinction
Some residues are on the surface, while systemic pesticides can be present within the food. Washing or peeling may reduce some residues, but the monitoring results in Residue Lens do not show where each residue sat or how much ordinary preparation removed.
That is why the app does not label individual foods “removable” or “unremovable”. The source data cannot support that certainty.
A practical approach
- Wash produce under running water before eating or preparing it, including produce you intend to peel.
- Gently rub produce; use a clean produce brush for firm skins where appropriate.
- Peel only when it suits the food and your preference. Peeling also removes edible material and some nutrients.
- Do not use soap, detergent, bleach or household cleaning products on food.
- Do not treat washing as proof that a systemic or absorbed residue is gone.
Keep the decision in proportion
The monitoring data supports prioritising purchases, not abandoning fruit and vegetables. If a clinician has given you individual dietary advice, follow that advice rather than this general guide.