The Environmental Working Group (EWG) has come out with their annual Shopper’s Guide to Pesticides in Produce report for 2013. Their list includes “The Dirty Dozen Plus,” (fruits and vegetables likely to contain the highest amounts of pesticide residue) and the “Clean 15″ (fruits and vegetables least likely to contain pesticides).
This list can be helpful in making choices around what produce to buy organic or conventionally grown. While purchasing organic as much as possible is what we would recommend (or, check with your farmer – some farms don’t have organic certification, but also do not spray), purchasing conventionally grown produce on the Clean 15 list is not a bad choice and may save you some money. It’s also helpful to know which fruits and veggies really should be purchased only as organic.
The Dirty Dozen Plus for 2013
- Apples
- Celery
- Cherry tomatoes
- Cucumbers
- Grapes
- Hot peppers
- Nectarines (imported)
- Peaches
- Potatoes
- Spinach
- Strawberries
- Sweet bell peppers
Dirty Dozen Plus: Kale/collard greens and Summer squash
The Clean Fifteen for 2013
- Asparagus
- Avocados
- Cabbage
- Cantaloupe
- Sweet corn
- Eggplant
- Grapefruit
- Kiwi
- Mangoes
- Mushrooms
- Onions
- Papayas
- Pineapples
- Sweet peas (frozen)
- Sweet potatoes
About The Kicking Kitchen
