The Dirty Dozen and the Clean 15
Dirty Dozen and Clean 15
When it comes to picking organic produce, you should know which items are the worst pesticide offenders — and which you can buy conventional without worrying.
We all know that eating fruits and veggies is good for you and your kids. But what are we supposed to do about the increasing evidence that there can be ill effects from exposure to pesticides, including a
link to ADHD in children?
For most of us, buying organic sounds nice but may be cost-prohibitive (prices are often significantly higher for these “specialty” items). The good news is that you don’t have to get all produce organic to significantly reduce your family’s consumption of everyday pesticides; some fruits and veggies are much worse than others.
The Environmental Working Group, which studies and monitors pesticide quantities in foods, issues an updated annual report of the “Dirty Dozen” — those items that have the most residue, sometimes from dozens of different pesticides — and the “Clean 15,” which have the lowest pesticide content. Here they are; hope they contribute to happy (and healthy) eating for you and your family!
THE DIRTY DOZEN:
1. Celery
2. Peaches
3. Strawberries
4. Apples
5. Blueberries
6. Nectarines
7. Bell peppers
8. Spinach
9. Kale
10. Cherries
11. Potatoes
12. Grapes (imported)
THE CLEAN 15:
1. Onions
2. Avocado
3. Sweet corn
4. Pineapple
5. Mangos
6. Sweet peas
7. Asparagus
8. Kiwis
9. Cabbage
10. Eggplant
11. Cantaloupe
12. Watermelon
13. Grapefruit
14. Sweet potato
15. Honeydew melon
You can download a nifty printable version of both of these lists to keep in your wallet at the
EWG’s Food News site.