The Dirty Dozen

When we’re referring to food, The Dirty Dozen have nothing to do with a movie. Every year, the Environmental Working Group publishes a list of the 12 fruits and vegetables that have been found to contain the highest levels of pesticide residue. These filthy fruits and veggies have been aptly dubbed:  The Dirty Dozen.

Most of the fruits and vegetables that make the list have thin skin, so they’re more vulnerable to the chemicals used to keep pests away from non-organic produce. Buy these fruits and vegetables organic or from your Certified Farmer’s Market, and you’ll be able to enjoy all of the delicious benefits they have to offer without the unhealthy pesticides.

Here are The Dirty Dozen:

• Apples
• Celery
• Strawberries
• Peaches
• Spinach
• Nectarines
• Grapes
• Sweet bell peppers
• Potatoes
• Blueberries
• Lettuce
• Kale/collard greens

The Environmental Working Group also publishes a list of the fruits and vegetables that have been found to contain the least amount of pesticide residue.

Here are The Clean 15:

• Onions
• Corn
• Pineapples
• Avocado
• Asparagus
• Sweet peas
• Mangoes
• Eggplant
• Cantaloupe
• Kiwi
• Cabbage
• Watermelon
• Sweet potatoes
• Grapefruit
• Mushrooms

Both lists are available for download as a PDF or as an app for your Android, iPhone or iPad at http://www.ewg.org/foodnews.

Here is a video from Dr. Andrew Weil that discusses the lists and pesticides in food in more detail:

Have the Dirty Dozen and Clean 15 lists affected your buying habits?

Written by Joanna Vilim