12 Fruits and Veggies Make the “Dirty Dozen” List

In an attempt to raise awareness about pesticide use, the Environment Working Group (EWG) reviewed 100,000 produce pesticide reports from the U. S. Department of Agriculture and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and put together a list of the “Dirty Dozen,” of produce that contains the highest amount of pesticide residues. According to the EWG’s Amy Rosenthal, if you want to reduce pesticide exposure you do not have to go 100 percent organic. “You can reduce your exposure to pesticides by up to 80 percent by buying the organic version of the Dirty Dozen.” Following is the Dirty Dozen list:

1. Celery
2. Peaches
3. Strawberries
4. Apples
5. Domestic Blueberries
6. Nectarines
7. Sweet Bell Peppers
8. Spinach, Kale, and Collard greens
9. Cherries
10. Potatoes (white)
11. Imported Grapes
12. Lettuce

When Hallelujah Acres first began promoting organic produce, there were few places to purchase it and the cost was outrageous. Fortunately, as time has passed, more people have started demanding organic produce after becoming aware of the potential toxins contained in or on fresh produce. The number of stores carrying organic produce has greatly increased and the costs have come down. Rhonda and I have known for years that most of the items on the list above were ones we needed to buy organic or not eat. Finding the greens such as spinach, kale, collards, and lettuce on the list, however, was a surprise. For sure we will buy only organically raised greens in the future, or raise our own in our organic garden. Farmers Markets might also be a place to buy greens that have not been sprayed with poison. Before purchasing greens there it might be good to ask the farmer if they have been sprayed. In next week’s Health Tip, we will list the 15 vegetables and fruits the EWG has designated as being “clean” – that is relatively clean of pesticide residues.