Celery, peaches, strawberries, apples, blueberries, nectarines, bell peppers, spinach, kale, cherries, potatoes, and grapes. What do all of these have in common? When grown conventionally (not organically) they rank the highest in toxic pesticides and can cause long lasting damage to human health. According to the Environmental Working Group, “Scientists now know the long term consequences of ingesting these powerful chemicals to advise that we minimize our consumption of pesticides.”
I had never heard of “The Dirty Dozen” until I visited a nutritionist and she informed me that some of my favorite fruits and veggies were harmful if not eaten organically. Shocked, I went online to find a resource that could help me better navigate the produce section.
Luckily the EWG created a website - foodnews.org - dedicated to this cause and where you can download their Shopper’s Guide to Pesticides. Available as a PDF or as a handy iPhone App, the Shopper’s Guide to Pesticides lists The Dirty Dozen as well as their benign counterpart – The Clean 15. The site itself is very informative as is EWG’s main website, ewg.org, where you can access an array of health and safety guides. This information will not only help you be a better consumer, it will help you live a healthier life.
BRAVO! I am thrilled that you are getting this information out there – it is so important!