Final answer:
Strawberries, especially non-organic varieties, have been identified as one of the foods with the highest potential for pesticide accumulation according to the Dirty Dozen list. Organic strawberries have become more popular due to these concerns, leading to higher prices and sales. Organic food, grown without synthetic pesticides, is generally more environmentally friendly but comes at a higher cost.
Step-by-step explanation:
If you are concerned about the biomagnification of toxins and wish to reduce your exposure to pesticides, one of the foods you would most want to avoid is strawberries, particularly non-organic varieties. The Environmental Working Group's 'Dirty Dozen' is a list that includes fruits and vegetables with the highest levels of pesticide residue. According to the 2013 version of this list, strawberries were found to test high for pesticide residue even after being washed, leading to increased consumer interest in organic strawberries. The shift in consumer preference has resulted in a higher equilibrium price and a larger quantity of organic strawberry sales. Choosing organic foods like organic strawberries can be a way to avoid synthetic pesticides, but it is also important to note that organic foods tend to be more expensive than conventionally produced foods. The 'organic' label signifies that the food was grown without synthetic pesticides, which some consumers prefer to support more sustainable agricultural practices.