Organic….not organic…pay the money….grow your own…not pay the money – Thoughts many of us may have as we shop produce at the grocery store or local farmers market.
Each year, the Environmental Worker’s Group publishes their “Dirty Dozen” and their “Clean Fifteen” based on pesticide residues found. Pesticide residue is measured in produce after it has been prepared how people eat it. If it is washed and peeled, the produce is tested washed and peeled.
Foods in the “Dirty Dozen” are ones that you may want to consider buying organic. These foods tested positive for several pesticides and at higher concentrations than other produce. Washing or peeling doesn’t help either.
- Strawberries
- Spinach
- Kale
- Nectarines
- Apples
- Grapes
- Peaches
- Cherries
- Pears
- Tomatoes
- Celery
- Potatoes
Foods in the “Clean Fifteen” contained relatively few pesticides and the test found low total concentrations of pesticide residues. Paying extra to purchase these foods as organic probably isn’t necessary.
- Avocados
- Sweet corn
- Pineapples
- Frozen sweet peas
- Onions
- Papayas
- Eggplants
- Asparagus
- Kiwis
- Cabbages
- Cauliflower
- Cantaloupes
- Broccoli
- Mushrooms
- Honeydew melon