Each year the EWG (The Environmental Working Group) puts out their list of the “dirty dozen” and the “clean fifteen.” The “dirty dozen” are the fruits and vegetables with the most pesticides. The Environmental Working Group developed this list based on 89,000 tests for pesticide residue in 48 of the most popular produce. It is also based on how the produce is typically eaten (washed, rinsed, or peeled). Peeling your fruits or vegetables can help, but the skin has many valuable nutrients that will be stripped with the peeling. EWG recommends rinsing all produce before consuming. They also recommend buying the “dirty dozen” organic, if possible, or locally. You can talk to the farmers at farmer’s markets and even though they may not be organic, most of the time they have grown their produce more sustainably. The “clean fifteen” are produce that still have pesticides, but at a much lower level.
Again this year, apples have topped the list. Cherry tomatoes and cucumbers have been added to the list and strawberries and spinach are still included in the Dirty Dozen. Blueberries and lettuce fell off the list.
Even though corn is on the “clean fifteen” list for pesticides, buying organic or local corn would be best since 90% of all corn grown is genetically modified.
To see the complete list for the “Dirty Dozen” and the “Clean Fifteen,” click on the link below…
12 Fruits & Veggies With The Most Pesticides (2013 Dirty Dozen)