May 22, 2010

Environmental Working Group “Dirty Dozen” List of Top Fruits and Veggies to Buy Organic

This Environmental Working Group (EWG), a nonprofit environmental research organization based in Washington, DC, “Dirty Dozen” list, in order of most-to-least contaminated, offers a helpful way to prioritize which fruits and veggies to buy organic. EWG reports that you can lower your pesticide exposure by almost 90 percent by avoiding conventional versions of the top 12 most contaminated fruits and vegetables. Keep this list handy when you plan on going on your next shopping trip to the grocery store or farmers market.


The EWG reports that these 12 fruits and vegetables tested highest in pesticide residue:

 

1. Peaches

2. Apples

3. Sweet Bell Peppers

4. Celery

5. Nectarines

6. Strawberries

7. Cherries

8. Lettuce

9. Grapes (imported)

10. Pears

11. Spinach

12. Potatoes

The EWG reports that these 12 fruits and vegetables tested lowest in pesticide residue:


 

1. Onions

2. Avocado

3. Sweet Corn (frozen)

4. Pineapples

5. Mango

6. Sweet Peas (frozen)

7. Asparagus

8. Kiwi

9. Bananas

10. Cabbage

11. Broccoli

12. Eggplant

Green Tie Tasting