Dirty Dozen and the Clean Fiften

Dirty Dozen

Buy these organic

1

Apples

2

Celery

3

Strawberries

4

Peaches

5

Spinach

6

Nectarines
– imported

7

Grapes – imported

8

Sweet bell peppers

9

Potatoes

10

Blueberries
– domestic

11

Lettuce

12

Kale/collard greens

Clean 15

Lowest in Pesticide

1

Onions

2

Sweet Corn

3

Pineapples

4

Avocado

5

Asparagus

6

Sweet peas

7

Mangoes

8

Eggplant

9

Cantaloupe
- domestic

10

Kiwi

11

Cabbage

12

Watermelon

13

Sweet potatoes

14

Grapefruit

15

Mushrooms

This guide was just released from the EWG this week. This list is complied using data released from the USDA. I really appreciate this is because not only is it diffcult to always find, grow, or purchase organic produce, it can be expensive too. Some of these really surprised me, I kind of figured as much about grapefruit and avocados, things with skins you don't consume; but the asparagus and mushrooms are good to know about.

But one thing is for sure. Don't pass up fruits and vegetables because you are worried about pesticides. See it as a classic good, better, best. Eating lots fresh produce is good, "clean" conventionally grown items are better, and organic, pesticide and chemical-free is best. Purchase and eat what you can, just see that you do, because blue-raspberry otterpops are not an even exchange for a handful of the real thing.