When I am at the grocery store I always have trouble remembering which fruits and vegetables I should spend a little extra money on to buy organic. Is it apples or avocados that I should buy organic? Celery or cabbage? To help answer these questions the Environmental Working Group analyzed pesticide residue testing data from the U.S. Department of Agriculture and Food and Drug Administration then put together lists called the “Dirty Dozen” and “Clean 15”.
Buy these “Dirty Dozen” fruits and vegetables organic because they are most likely to contain pesticide residue:
1. apples
2. celery
3. strawberries
4. peaches
5. spinach
6. nectarines (imported)
7. grapes (imported)
8. sweet bell peppers
9. potatoes
10. blueberries (domestic)
11. lettuce
12. kale/collard greens
“The Clean 15” fruits and vegetables are least likely to contain pesticide residue.
1. onions
2. sweet corn
3. pineapples
4. avocado
5. asparagus
6. sweet peas
7. mangoes
8. eggplant
9. cantaloupe (domestic)
10. kiwi
11. cabbage
12. watermelon
13. sweet potatoes
14. grape fruit
15. mushrooms
For a complete list of the 53 fruits and vegetables the EWG analyzed check out their website and 2011 shopper’s guide.
Wow – great article – so helpful!! I live in an area that we don’t have a lot to choose from – so it’s nice to know exactly what to look for! Nice to know if you really need to buy Organic or not…
Great list of “53″ to have with my grocery list……will print it off and keep it handy.
Since I’m a farmer, raise vegatables and eat them, it nice to see the list.