Among the dangers of foreign fruits and vegetables are pesticide, chemical, virus or bacterial contamination of imported fruits and vegetables (canned or fresh). Other dangers are posed by genetically modified organisms and non-native transplants. While food imports to the United States doubled between 1997 and 2007, inspection of imports decreased over the same period. Even still, the incidence of contaminated fruits and vegetables is relatively rare.
Even though there are more stringent food and drug regulations than ever before, there are still instances of fruits and vegetables (and other imported foods) being contaminated with pesticide residue. Although there are documented reports of contamination and resultant sickness or death, most of it is largely undetected and unreported.
The effects of other dangers may take longer to manifest themselves. These include the effects of non-native species on ecosystems, and the myriad dangers of genetically modified organisms (GMOs). It is still largely unknown what effects GMOs have on the human body. It is known that when transgenic (or genetically modified) plants escape into the wild or into neighboring fields (either borne on the wind, transferred by pollinators, or by willful planting), they may cross-breed with native plants. The end result of that cross-contamination may be the radical change of entire ecosystems and the loss of natural, or heirloom, varieties. A similar danger arises from the introduction of non-native plants into ecosystems. A modern example would be the infamous kudzu. Once transplanted into the Southern region of the United States, it has now overtaken or threatens thousands of acres of indigenous species with its prolific spread.
There have been several highly publicized cases of food-borne viruses, such as hepatitis, Ebola and influenza. These include the worst outbreak of hepatitis A in U.S. history. The outbreak began with imported Mexican green onions in Pittsburgh, Pa., in 2003. There were more than 600 reported cases, stemming not only from the consumption of the onions in people's homes, but in restaurants.
There have been numerous recalls in recent history related to chemical contamination. Exported wheat gluten from China, containing the toxic chemical melamine, was the culprit behind a massive pet food recall that killed or sickened hundreds of dogs throughout the U.S. More than 100 brand names were involved. In addition, up to 3 million chickens were fed the pet food and were sold to restaurants. How does this affect you and your vegetables? The manure is often sold as a fertilizer for fruits and vegetables. The U.S. also halted imports of farmed fish from China because it found they were raised with chemically contaminated fish feed. Fish emulsion is often used as fertilizer.
According to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, "harmful bacteria are the most common cause of food borne illnesses." In 2001, an outbreak of salmonella was reportedly linked to imported Mexican cantaloupes. At least two people died and 25 others fell sick in a 15-state area. And in 2009, Tanimura & Antle (a Salinas, Ca. company) issued a voluntary recall of romaine lettuce products sold in 29 states, found to be contaminated with salmonella.
Chicken manure, turkey manure, fish emulsion and cow manure are often used as fertilizer for fruit orchards and vegetable gardens. Whatever was present in the livestock or fish (including chemicals, antibiotics, GMOs, growth hormones, etc.) logically will contaminate the manure, the soil the manure fertilizes, and any plants grown in that soil since plants feed predominantly from their roots. Root vegetables (such as turnips, potatoes, sweet potatoes, yams, onions, etc.) are especially prone to the absorption of harmful chemicals from the soil, since they grow underground.
The best solution to prevent contamination of fruits and vegetables is to grow your own. In this manner, you control what goes into your soil or onto your plants. Another solution is to buy only local, organic products whenever possible. When you purchase fruits and vegetables, wash them thoroughly under running water. This step alone can get rid of most contamination.
A professional writer with 20 years of experience, Sally Hansley Odum has been published in over 90 countries. She is currently a contributing writer at Suite101.com, LovetoKnow.com, eHow.com, Travels.com and BrightHub.com. Sally holds a degree in Liberal Arts from Excelsior College.