By Toby Amidor MS, RD, CDN, FAND and Elizabeth Shaw, MS, RDN, CLT, CPT

As Registered Dietitian Nutritionists (RDN) we do everything we can to help our clients and consumers improve their health by increasing consumption of fruits and vegetables in their daily diets. This is especially important in today’s environment. We hear firsthand the barriers consumers regularly cite as reasons for not eating enough. But when they include safety concerns due to pesticide residues, we know we must work diligently to reassure consumers about the safety of all produce, whether organic or conventionally grown.

Peer reviewed research supports concerns about the “fear barrier.” A study published in Nutrition Today found that when low income consumers heard activist group claims about “high” residues on produce, they were less likely to purchase any produce – organic or conventionally grown.

A recent professional survey among RDNs , funded by the Alliance for Food and Farming (AFF), was conducted to better understand the challenges faced to increase consumption of fruits and vegetables in the daily diets of clients and consumers. This survey found that 94% of RDNs agreed that fear based messaging regarding residues has a negative impact on produce consumption because it leads to misplaced concern about whether conventionally-grown fruits and vegetables are safe to eat. And, 95% of RDNs agree that it is important for consumers to know that conventionally grown produce is safe because not all consumers can afford organic produce.

When shown infographics and other content carrying inaccurate messaging about residues and produce safety, an overwhelming 95% of RDNs surveyed agreed that this type of communication discourages produce consumption.

But, there is positive news. Previous surveys conducted by the AFF found that RDNs are among the most credible sources of information when it comes to assuring consumers about produce safety. This shows that RDNs have the ability to effect change and offset the “fear barrier,” especially when discussing controversial topics, such as pesticide residues.

In response to the RDN survey results, the AFF invited us to serve on a review panel to provide recommendations on what steps can be taken to reassure consumers about produce safety to help alleviate the “fear barrier.” The RDN panel recommendations determined that the best way RDNs as a community can help individuals increase produce consumption include:

• Providing peer reviewed research results regarding produce safety and residues to our colleagues and healthcare professionals to help prevent the spread of false, fear-based messaging.
• Emphasizing the use of nutrition-based studies that illustrate to consumers the health benefits of eating more produce each day;
• Promoting actionable steps for consumers, like washing fruits and vegetables under running water, to help alleviate concerns.

Consumers need and deserve accurate information about produce safety so they can make shopping choices for themselves and their families – organic or conventionally grown – they feel good about. The perpetuation of the “fear barrier” by certain groups and its negative impact on consumption shows the importance and necessity of the work nutrition professionals do to reassure consumers about the safety of their produce, specific to residue concerns, and the benefits of eating more fruits and vegetables to advance total health.