The Dirty Dozen

Last night (Tuesday March 8th) I gave a lecture on digestion, elimination and detoxification.  A question was asked about what foods have the most pesticides.  Since many of us can not afford to go 100% organic every time we shop or eat, what should we do?

The solution is to focus on those foods that come with the heaviest burden of pesticides, additives and hormones.  According to the Environmental Working Group, consumers can reduce their pesticide exposure by 80% by avoiding the most contaminated fruits and vegetables and eating only the cleanest.  If consumers get their USDA-recommended 5 daily servings of fruits and veggies from the 15 most contaminated, they could consume and average of 10 pesticides a day.  Those who eat the 15 least contaminate3d conventionally grown produce ingest less than 2 pesticides daily.

EWG has been publishing guides to the "dirty dozen" of most pesticide contaminated foods since 1995, based on statistical analysis of testing conducted by the USDA and FDA.  The latest guide is now available.  The dirty dozen list only reflects measurable pesticide residues on the parts of the foods normally consumed (after being washed and peeled). 

Below is the list of these 12 foods along with recommendations for foods other than fruits and vegetables that are best bought organic.
Here is a link for more info: click here

12 most contaminated:

1. Peaches
2. Apples
3. Sweet Bell Peppers
4. Celery
5. Nectarines
6. Strawberries
7. Cherries
8. Pears
9. Grapes (imported)
10. Spinach
11. Lettuce
12. Potatoes

12 least Contaminated:

1. Onions
2. Avocado
3. Sweet Corn (frozen)
4. Pineapples
5. Mango
6. Asparagus
7. Sweet Peas (frozen)
8. Kiwi Fruit
9. Bananas
10. Cabbage
11. Broccoli
12. Papaya

"The Clean 15"  15 foods that are least likely to tontain pesticide residue:

1. Onion
2. Avocado
3. Sweet Corn
4. Pineapple
5. Mango
6. Asparagus
7. Sweet Peas
8. Kiwi
9. Cabbage
10. Eggplant
11. Papaya
12. Watermelon
13. Broccoli
14. Tomato
15. Sweet Potato

Hope this is helpful.