The Dirty Dozen

Each year since 2004, the Environmental Working Group (EWG) comes out with their “Dirty Dozen”  a list of popular fruits and vegetables that are full of pesticide contamination, and, if you are concerned with your health (which I hope you should) –is best NOT to eat unless organic.

The "Dirty Dozen" includes:

1.      Strawberries (worst offender)

2.      Spinach  (next worst- had, on average, twice as much pesticide residue by weight than any other crop)

3.      Nectarines

4.      Apples

5.      Grapes

6.      Peaches

7.      Cherries

8.      Pears

9.      Tomatoes

10.  Celery

11.  Potatoes

12.  Sweet Bell Peppers  (including Hot peppers)

These produce should always be purchased organic.  Many local farms and markets use all organic practices but can’t afford the certification process – so check first before buying.

Don’t fret, not all produce needs to be organic.  Below is a list of produce you can buy conventionally.  If you can, go NonGMO on these;

1.      Avocados

2.      Pineapples

3.      Cabbage

4.      Onions

5.      Sweet peas frozen

6.      Asparagus

7.      Mangos

8.      Eggplant

9.      Honeydew Melon

10.  Kiwi

11.  Cantaloupe

12.  Cauliflower

13.  Broccoli

Reference:

https://www.cbsnews.com/news/strawberries-top-2018-dirty-dozen-list-fruits-vegetables-pesticides-environmental-working-group/