Produce
Tomatoes
Tomatoes sit mid-table: detections are common, but the number of compounds per sample is lower than in berries or grapes. Cooking them concentrates lycopene, which is the one nutrient argument for the canned aisle over fresh.
Organic upgrade priority
Consider organic
Score 31/100 · about $2.80 a week extra for a household of two
- →Conventional samples index 56/100 against 15/100 for organic — a 41-point difference.
- →At about 3.5 servings a week, the difference applies to a smaller share of what you eat.
- →Sample confidence is moderate, so the score is weighted down by 10%.
Key numbers
- Residue evidence
- 56/100
- Higher residue evidence
- Nutrient density
- 79/100
- Per calorie, across the whole database
- Typical price
- $2.79
- per lb · organic +50%
- Servings a week
- 3.5
- Per person, at typical purchase volume
- Samples
- 1,874
- Conventional, 2016–2023 · 63 organic
- Data confidence
- Moderate
- Set from sample size and year coverage
Organic vs conventional tomatoes
| Measure | Conventional | Organic |
|---|---|---|
| Samples analysed | 1,874 | 63 |
| Program years | 2016–2023 | 2016–2023 |
| Samples with any residue | 90% | 32% |
| Mean residues per sample | 4.0 | 0.6 |
| Samples above the EPA tolerance | 0.64% | 0.00% |
| Relative residue evidence index | 56/100 | 15/100 |
| Typical price | $2.79 / lb | $4.19 / lb |
Nutrition
Per 1 medium (123 g).
22
calories
1.1 g
protein
1.5 g
fiber
3.2 g
sugar
- Vitamin C 28% DV
- Lycopene
- Potassium 6% DV
How to wash tomatoes
Rinse and rub under running water. Cut the stem scar out afterwards rather than before — it is the one spot where water and anything in it can be drawn into the fruit.
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
- ◆Never refrigerate a tomato you plan to eat raw. Below about 12 °C the enzymes that make the aroma compounds shut down permanently.
- ◆Canned tomatoes are picked ripe and processed immediately, which is why they beat pale winter fresh tomatoes on both flavour and lycopene.
Common questions
›Should I buy organic tomatoes?
It is a reasonable upgrade when the budget allows, but not the first one to make. Tomatoes scores 31/100 on organic upgrade priority, with conventional samples at 56/100 against 15/100 organic. At about $2.80 extra a week, it competes with several higher-priority items.
›Are tomatoes high in pesticides?
Tomatoes shows higher residue evidence — an index of 56/100 relative to other commodities. Across 1,874 conventional samples from 2016–2023, 90% contained at least one detected residue, averaging 4.0 distinct compounds per sample, and 0.64% exceeded the applicable EPA tolerance. A detection is not the same as an unsafe level.
›How much more does organic tomatoes cost?
About 50% more at typical U.S. retail — $2.79 per lb conventional against $4.19 organic. For a household of 2 at normal purchase volume that is roughly $2.80 a week.
›How should I wash tomatoes?
Rinse and rub under running water. Cut the stem scar out afterwards rather than before — it is the one spot where water and anything in it can be drawn into the fruit.
›What can I buy instead of tomatoes?
If the organic version is out of budget or the fresh price has spiked, Canned tomatoes, Bell peppers, Carrots cover similar ground on this list. Each one is either lower on residue evidence, cheaper per serving, or both.
Related foods
Bell peppers
$1.49 / each · organic $2.29
Carrots
$2.49 / 2 lb bag · organic $3.49
Canned tomatoes
$2.29 / 28 oz can · organic $3.29
Nutrition 80/100 · 1.1 g protein · 1.2 g fiber
Not applicableSpinach
$3.29 / 5 oz container · organic $4.49