2012 Shopper's Guide to Pesticides- The Dirty Dozen & Clean 15

Source: www.ewg.org/foodnews/

Did you know that the fruits and vegetables at your grocery store could be covered with bug killers, fungicides and other chemicals? In fact, the most recent round of U. S. Department of Agriculture and Food and Drug Administration tests have found detectible pesticide residues on 68 percent of food samples. That's why EWG is committed to giving you the tools you need to buy safe and healthy produce for your family and have just updated their Shoppers Guide to Pesticides, Dirty Dozen and Clean 15 List.

The Shopper’s Guide to Pesticides will help you to determine the which fruits and vegetables have the most pesticides residues and are the most important to buy organic. By avoiding the most contaminated fruits and vegetables and eating the least contaminated you can lower your pesticide intake substantially.

The Dirty Dozen (Buy these organic where possible):


1. Apples
2. Celery
3. Sweet bell peppers
4. Peaches
5. Strawberries
6. Nectarines – imported
7. Grapes
8. Spinach
9. Lettuce
10. Cucumbers
11. Blueberries – domestic
12. Potatoes

Plus: Green beans, Kale/Greens – May contain residues of special concern

The Clean 15 (Lowest is pesticides, ok to buy not organic when):


1. Onions
2. Sweet Corn
3. Pineapples
4. Avocado
5. Cabbage
6. Sweet Peas
7. Asparagus
8. Mangoes
9. Eggplant
10. Kiwi
11. Cantaloupe – domestic
12. Sweet Potatoes
13. Grapefruit
14. Watermelon
15. Mushrooms

 

Source: www.ewg.org/foodnews/