Produce: Purchase or Pass?

The “Dirty Dozen” is the name assigned by the Environmental Working Group (EWG) to a group of produce that consistently tests high for pesticide use. They include: peach, apple, bell pepper, celery, nectarine, strawberry, cherries, kale, lettuce, imported grapes, carrot and pear. If you don’t want to pass on these items try the ever expanding, organic section of your local grocer. If the organic section seems to pricey this visit, try the “Clean 15” instead: onion, avocado, sweet corn, pineapple, mango, asparagus, sweet peas, kiwi, cabbage, eggplant, papaya, watermelon, broccoli, tomato, sweet potato. The EWG maintains that consumers can lower their pesticide exposure by almost 80% by avoiding the dirty dozen and that the clean 15 will expose a person to less than 2 pesticides per day. To view the full list go to:

http://www.foodnews.org/fulllist.php

 To download a printable shoppers guide or add as an iphone app go to:

 http://www.foodnews.org/