Environmental Working Group Updates Its Dirty Dozen


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The Environmental Working Group (EWG), a Washington-based environmental non-profit organization, has recently updated its dirty dozen, or its list of fruit and veggies containing the highest levels of pesticides. The EWG claims that you can lower your pesticide exposure by almost 80% by opting for the organically grown variety of produce on the dirty dozen list.

In the above picture, we have five pieces of fruit commonly found at the supermarket. Which of these five innocent-looking types of fruit are actually members of the dirty dozen?

Believe it or not, there are two: apples and pears. Apples rank second on the list, right after peaches, while pears rank twelfth. When purchasing peaches, apples and pears, you should opt for the organically grown variety.

However, you can buy conventionally grown oranges and bananas. Little known fact--the EWG ranks pineapple as the fruit with the lowest concentration of pesticides, even lower than that of mangoes.

In addition, there is some good news for spud lovers. Potatoes, not to mention raspberries and spinach, have cleaned up their act and are no longer on the list. However, kale, carrots and lettuce have unfortunately taken their place.

*Dirty Dozen
1. peaches
2. apples
3. bell peppers
4. celery
5. nectarines
6. strawberries
7. cherries
8. kale
9. lettuce
10. imported grapes
11. carrots
12. pears

*Source: http://www.ewg.org/node/27722

4 comments:

Myriam Hanna | April 16, 2009 at 10:05 PM

I buy everything local or organic. Such a difference in taste for peaches or bananas. Actually, with time, you'll develop a sense of smell to know the difference between organic fruits & vegetables and non-organic ones.

Heather | April 17, 2009 at 7:13 PM

Well, I'll have to check the smell out. I've never heard that before. I recognized your name from Twitter. Thanks for the follow and the comment Myriam.

Anonymous | August 25, 2009 at 2:44 PM

Can't pesticides be washed off most fruits and vegetables?

Heather | August 25, 2009 at 2:50 PM

Initially, I was under this impression. However, upon further reading I learned that pesticides cannot be washed off most fruits and veg. If you would like me to find my reference just drop me a line, I'd be pleased to find it for you. H

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