Buying Organic produce, is in fact really important. Organic benefits us all by supporting the integretity of our soil, the purity of our water, international development and human and animal wellfare, which reduces our health risks and protects our future generations. Organic farmers do not use harsh herbicides and pesticides to grow their produce. Rinsing foods can help, but does not eliminate all the pesticides and peeling is more beneficial, however you are eliminating many valuable nutrients. So your best option is to buy organic whenever possible. If you are worried, however about breaking the bank, as organic foods can be more expensive, then here is a comprimise. This list shows the foods that are commonly grown with more pesticides and what you should buy organic. Also, the conventially grown foods that are safe to buy, because they contain less pesticides.
Does your grocery basket contain the Dirty Dozen?
Clean 15
(buy these organic)
- Peach
- Apple
- Bell Pepper
- Celery
- Nectarine
- Strawberries
- Cherries
- Kale
- Lettuce
- Grapes
- Carrot
- Pear
Dirty Dozen
(lowest in pesticides)
- Onion
- Avocado
- Sweet Corn
- Pineapple
- Mango
- Asparagus
- Sweet Peas
- Kiwi
- Cabbage
- Eggplant
- Papaya
- Watermelon
- Broccoli
- Tomato
- Sweet Potato
“EWG research has found that 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 perticides daily.”
Information provided by: Environmental Working Group
