Dirty Dozen & Clean 15

“Eating plenty of fruits and vegetables is essential no matter how they’re grown, but for the items with the heaviest pesticide loads, we urge shoppers to buy organic,’ – Sonya Lunder, EWG (Environmental Working Group) senior analyst

Why it matters:

The production of non-organic foods uses toxic chemicals such as fungicides, herbicides, and insecticides that all have potential to damage our system and compromise our health. Some of the health risks associated with pesticides are;

  • Increased Risk of Cancer
  • Developmental Delays in Infants and Children
  • Delayed Effects of the Nervous System
  • Early Commencement of Menses in Young Women (associated with growth hormones given to cows to produce more milk)
  • Build-up of Toxins in the Body

“Dirty Dozen” – list of produce with the most pesticide residue:

  1. Strawberries
  2. Spinach
  3. Nectarines
  4. Apples
  5. Peaches
  6. Celery
  7. Grapes
  8. Pears
  9. Cherries
  10. Tomatoes
  11. Sweet bell peppers
  12. Potatoes

“Clean 15” 
list of produce the least likelihood to contain pesticide residue:

  1. Sweet corn
  2. Avocados
  3. Pineapples
  4. Cabbage
  5. Onions
  6. Frozen sweet peas
  7. Papayas
  8. Asparagus
  9. Mangoes
  10. Eggplant
  11. Honeydew
  12. Kiwifruit
  13. Cantaloupe
  14. Cauliflower
  15. Grapefruit