“Eat your fruits and vegetables”. We’ve all heard that before. And as a parent, the is a sentiment many can agree on. The question is, should those fruits and vegetables be organic? The nonprofit advocacy agency the Environmental Working Group (EWG) has once again helped to take the guess work out for many parents by releasing this years Shopper’s Guide to Pesticides in Produce list. The list comprises the 12 most pesticide-laden fruits and vegetables on the market (The Dirty Dozen) as well as the cleanest 15 (The Clean Fifteen). So if you’re trying to figure out where you’d like to spend the few extra bucks on organic produce, let the dirty dozen list be your guide. Alternatively, let the clean fifteen provide you with peace of mind that not every non-organic, conventional fruit and vegetable you eat is loaded with unwanted chemicals.
The Dirty Dozen (fruits and vegetables with the most pesticides)
1. Apples
2. Peaches
3. Nectarines
4. Strawberries
5. Grapes
6. Celery
7. Spinach
8. Sweet Bell Peppers
9. Cucumbers
10. Cherry Tomatoes
11. Snap Peas (Imported)
12. Potatoes
Additionally, hot peppers, kale and collard greens were “frequently found to be contaminated with insecticides toxic to the human nervous system.”
The Clean Fifteen (fruits and vegetables with the least amount of pesticides)
1. Avocados
2. Sweet Corn
3. Pineapples
4. Cabbage
5. Sweet Peas (frozen)
6. Onions
7. Asparagus
8. Mangoes
9. Papayas
10. Kiwi
11. Eggplant
12. Grapefruit
13. Cantaloupe
14. Cauliflower
15. Sweet Potatoes
[…] produce, consult the dirty dozen and the clean fifteen. If you’re on a tight budget, only buy organic of the dirty […]