Produce
Bananas
Bananas are the biggest surprise in this dataset. USDA peels them before testing, so the numbers describe the flesh — and 82% of conventional samples still carry a detected residue, against 10% of organic ones. The compounds involved are largely post-harvest fungicides that move into the fruit rather than sitting on the skin.
Organic upgrade priority
Prioritize organic
Score 39/100 · about $1.48 a week extra for a household of two
- →Conventional samples index 46/100 against 3/100 for organic — a 43-point difference.
- →At about 6 servings a week, this is a food you eat often enough for the difference to accumulate.
- →Sample confidence is moderate, so the score is weighted down by 10%.
Key numbers
- Residue evidence
- 46/100
- Moderate residue evidence
- Nutrient density
- 69/100
- Per calorie, across the whole database
- Typical price
- $0.72
- per lb · organic +51%
- Servings a week
- 6
- Per person, at typical purchase volume
- Samples
- 1,456
- Conventional, 2014–2020 · 134 organic
- Data confidence
- Moderate
- Set from sample size and year coverage
Organic vs conventional bananas
| Measure | Conventional | Organic |
|---|---|---|
| Samples analysed | 1,456 | 134 |
| Program years | 2014–2020 | 2014–2020 |
| Samples with any residue | 82% | 10% |
| Mean residues per sample | 1.5 | 0.1 |
| Samples above the EPA tolerance | 0.00% | 0.00% |
| Relative residue evidence index | 46/100 | 3/100 |
| Typical price | $0.72 / lb | $1.09 / lb |
Nutrition
Per 1 medium (118 g).
105
calories
1.3 g
protein
3.1 g
fiber
14.4 g
sugar
- Vitamin B6 25% DV
- Potassium 10% DV
- Resistant starch when green
How to wash bananas
Wash your hands after peeling rather than washing the banana. Whatever is on the skin ends up on your fingers and then on the flesh you are holding.
Washing reduces surface residue and soil. It does not remove systemic compounds taken up into the plant, and no soap, vinegar, or commercial produce wash has been shown to beat 30 seconds of plain running water by a margin worth paying for. Full washing guide.
Buying and storing
- ◆Organic bananas cost roughly 35–50 cents more per pound — one of the smallest absolute premiums in the store, against one of the widest measured gaps. That combination is why they rank as high as they do here despite being a peeled fruit.
- ◆Freeze over-ripe bananas peeled and broken in half. They are the base of every decent smoothie and cost nothing extra.
Common questions
›Should I buy organic bananas?
Yes, if you are upgrading anything. Bananas scores 39/100 on organic upgrade priority — conventional samples index 46/100 against 3/100 for organic, and at roughly 6 servings a week per person that difference applies often. The upgrade costs about $1.48 a week for 2 people.
›Are bananas high in pesticides?
Bananas shows moderate residue evidence — an index of 46/100 relative to other commodities. Across 1,456 conventional samples from 2014–2020, 82% contained at least one detected residue, averaging 1.5 distinct compounds per sample, and 0.00% exceeded the applicable EPA tolerance. A detection is not the same as an unsafe level.
›How much more does organic bananas cost?
About 51% more at typical U.S. retail — $0.72 per lb conventional against $1.09 organic. For a household of 2 at normal purchase volume that is roughly $1.48 a week.
›How should I wash bananas?
Wash your hands after peeling rather than washing the banana. Whatever is on the skin ends up on your fingers and then on the flesh you are holding.
Related foods
Blackberries
$3.49 / 6 oz container · organic $4.99
Avocados
$1.49 / each · organic $2.29
Strawberries
$4.29 / 1 lb container · organic $6.49
Blueberries
$3.99 / 11 oz container · organic $5.79