Summertime in the U.S. is nearing and people are ready to crowd the farmers markets, lusting over the delicious produce the warmer weather brings. One of the concerns a growing number of citizens are paying attention to is which produce has the highest and lowest pesticide use and residues.
Each year the Environmental Working Group (EWG) releases a free, downloadable Shopper’s Guide to Pesticides in Produce, which includes the “dirty dozen” and “clean 15″ produce items that have the most and fewest detectable pesticide residues.
Topping the “dirty” list this year are apples, followed by strawberries, grapes, celery, and peaches. This year EWG has again renamed their list “Dirty Dozen Plus” to reflect the fact that a couple crops — domestically grown summer squash, kale, and collards — don’t meet the traditional criteria for the “dirty dozen” but “were commonly contaminated with pesticides exceptionally toxic to the nervous system.”
High on the “clean” list are sweet corn, onions, pineapples, avocados, and cabbage.
You can find a list of 48 fruits and vegetables in order of their pesticide rankings.
For many of us, part of living a life that strives to do the most good and least harm for all means choosing foods that reflect a healthy, humane, just focus whenever possible. But, choosing organic produce 100% of the time isn’t always possible, whether it’s due to availability or budget. For those who want to support richer soil, cleaner air and water, healthier bodies, safer workers and wildlife, and other benefits, but can’t go totally organic, this guide is a useful tool.
~ Marsha
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