Each year the Environmental Working Group, a non-profit organization dedicated to protecting public health and the environment, puts out a list called the “Dirty Dozen”.
What is this list? It is a list of the most chemically-treated fruits and vegetables.
EWG research “has found that the people who eat the 12 most contaminated fruits and vegetables consume an average of 10 pesticides a day. Those who eat the 15 least contaminated conventionally-grown fruits and vegetables ingest fewer than 2 pesticides daily.”
In case you are shopping and can’t remember what is on the list, the basic rule of thumb is this: buy organic fruits or vegetables that have nothing to be peeled off before eating.
If you know someone who has kids, please forward this to them. Kids are the most vulnerable to pesticide intake.
This year’s Dirty Dozen.
1. Peach
2. Apple
3. Bell Pepper
4. Celery
5. Nectarine
6. Strawberries
7. Cherries
8. Kale
9. Lettuce
10. Grapes (Imported)
11. Carrot
12. Pear
And now for the list that all fruits and vegetables aspire to be on. Let the bragging begin.
The Clean 15 (lowest in pesticides)
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
Wow, this is fascinating info! Thanks for posting this.
Thanks. This is extremely helpful information.
Hi Peter and Fred,
I’m glad you found it helpful. Thanks for your feedback.
Live well,
Max
Very helpful. Thank you. I just wish you had the phone numbers of the gmo products on this written list. I so want to call.
Hi Rhonda,
I understand completely!!!!
Thanks so much for your feedback. I sincerely appreciate your interest.
Live well,
Max
[...] The Dirty Dozen – 12 Different Fish to Avoid [...]
[...] strawberries are on the Dirty Dozen list of foods that should always be eaten organically. There is no skin or peel as a first layer of [...]
Wow! I have a 5 year old and a 1 year old… This was truly shocking! Both of my boys love fruits and veggies (yes, I’m a very lucky parent) and now that I’ve read these, I’ll be sure to keep my eyes open. Thank you so much!
~PLH~
(peace love harmony)
Hi Ashley,
People don’t fully appreciate how toxic and many chemicals are on our food.
That is precisely my goal of livingmaxwell.com — to help raise awareness. Please spread the word about the Dirty Dozen.
Live well,
Max
I like the list, but keep in mind: buying (any) organic produce reduces pesticide use. I agree that safety for the consumer is important, but keep in mind the overall impact that pesticide use is having on the workers who are exposed to it and to the overall environment. Thanks for raising awareness on this issue.
Hi Jan,
There is no doubt about it. Exposure to the farmers and environment are very, very serious issues.
Thanks for your feedback.
Live well,
Max
While papaya is on the “clean” list, please remember that most Hawaiian papaya is now genetically engineered. Pesticide is not the only danger in our food.
Hi Charla,
I did not know that Hawaiian papaya is now GE, thanks for letting us know. The list comes from the Environmental Working Group.
Nevertheless, you are completely right. Pesticides are only part of the equation. GE is definitely another part of it as well. To the best of my knowledge, however, a majority of the fruits and vegetables are not GE.
Also, if the radiation from Japan really starts to spread and hits Hawaii and California, that could change this whole list dramatically. It could become much more geographic.
Thanks for your input.
Live well,
Max
How can We identify chemically treated fruits and vegetable ?
Hi Mahesh,
You want to buy certified organic fruits and vegetables. If you are buying at a farmer’s market, as the farmer if they use chemicals on the their crops. Most of them will tell you the truth. I’ve had a few told me that they use chemicals for pest control.
Also, here is a good video that it explains it in more depth.
http://livingmaxwell.com/how-to-know-if-what-were-eating-is-organic
Live well,
Max