just a dumb question for my peace of mind - hoping someone can shed some light! my mother is visiting and she has got me worried by saying I shouldn't be buying large and/or out of season M&S strawberries for my kids because they are either imported, or grown with lots of pesticides. i guess she is used to being able to get only whatever is grown locally and in season and is suspicious of the rest. My response is that just because strawberries come from Spain and larger varieties are picked out does not make them any worse, necessarily, than the smaller fruit. I guess my question, more generally, is - are there any ways to ensure i buy the fruit that contains the smallest content of chemicals? is buying organic the only way - and is that even reliable? are there any rules in the UK/Europe that ensure oout children don't consume too many pesticides? i have dismissed my mother (somewhat defensively) in my conversation with her, but would love to hear any informed opinions. many thanks