Buying organic produce is, admit it, expensive. If you have ever wondered which foods are more important to find organic than others, you may find your answer here.
The “Dirty Dozen” refers to a list of 12 foods that, when purchased and tested in “conventional” form, show the highest residues of pesticides. These would be the most important foods to try and find organic options (think of foods with little or no skin that pesticides would be able to penetrate and absorb into the parts you eat).
The Dirty Dozen (plus a few more)
Peaches
Apples
Sweet Bell Peppers
Celery
Nectarines
Strawberries
Cherries
Pears
Grapes (Imported)
Spinach
Lettuce
Potatoes
(Also: Kale and Green Beans)
Clean 15
Onions
Avocado
Sweet Corn
Pineapples
Mango
Asparagus
Sweet Peas
Kiwi Fruit
Bananas
Cabbage
Broccoli
Papaya
Watermelon
Mushrooms
Grapefruit
(Some lists also include Sweet Potato and Eggplant)
As always, please use your own judgment. Fruits and vegetables are important to health and the benefits from consuming them far outweigh the risks of pesticide residue. Use these lists in good health. Namaste!
Erika Diane 