I’m pondering the fate of a half-eaten jar of nonorganic strawberry jam in my fridge. It was purchased by a houseguest. I never eat nonorganic strawberries because they contain high levels of pesticides. If I throw it away, I’ll be wasting food; if I serve it to others, I’ll be offering something I consider dangerous. Which is the bigger transgression? —Dawn Hollier, Venice, California
WHETHER YOU’RE CORRECT OR NOT, you believe nonorganic strawberry jam is dangerous. If this is what you believe, throw it away. It’s true that you’re “wasting” a product that costs about $5 a jar and is delicious on toast. But you view this product as a low-level poison, and you don’t have to feel bad about wasting poison. If you’re uncomfortable throwing it away, keep the jam separate from other food and preface every potential serving by saying: “This is nonorganic jam. I would never eat it, but you’re welcome to risk it.” Perhaps some future lunch guests will be interested.
—Adapted from “The Ethicist” in The New York Times Magazine