Using data from tests conducted by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the Environmental Working Group has picked their “Dirty Dozen” produce for 2016. These 12 foods contain the most dangerous pesticides out of the 48 that EWG analyzed. To the list:
1) Strawberries
More than 98% of strawberries tested positive for at least one pesticide residue. One strawberry can have residue from as many as 17 different pesticides.
2) Apples
More than 98% of apples tested positive for at least one pesticide residue.
3) Nectarines
More than 98% of nectarines tested positive for at least one pesticide residue
4) Peaches
Photo by Ewan Traveler via Flickr
More than 98% of peaches tested positive for at least one pesticide residue
5) Celery
Photo by Mike Licht via Flickr
6) Grapes
Photo by David Eickhoff via Flickr
A single grape sample tested positive for 15 different pesticides.
7) Cherries
Photo by La Citta Vita via Flickr
8) Spinach
Photo by Simon Law via Flickr
9) Tomatoes
10) Sweet Bell Peppers
A single sweet bell pepper tested positive for 15 different pesticides.
11) Cherry Tomatoes
12) Cucumbers
Dirty Dozen Plus
For the fourth year in a row, EWG identified two “Dirty Dozen Plus” foods—leafy greens (think kale and collard greens) and hot peppers. These foods do not contain as many pesticides as the foods in the dirty dozen. However, the pesticides they do contain are very toxic. Organophosphate and carbamate insecticides, which have been banned for use on other produce, are still found on greens and hot peppers. Organophosphate insecticides have been found to cause obesity in lab animals.
If you see some of your favorite foods on this list, consider going organic when you buy. If you see some of your kids’ favorite foods on this list, definitely buy them organic. Pesticides are a relatively new technology; scientists still aren’t sure what they do to our bodies over time, and how they effect them when we’re still growing. If grapes are part of your daily lunch, spend the extra cash to make sure you aren’t also lunching on dangerous chemicals.
EWG’s full ranking of 50 produce items also contains some good news, their “Clean Fifteen“. These are the foods least likely to contain dangerous pesticides.
1) Avocados
Only 1% of avocado samples showed traces of pesticides.
2) Sweet corn
Multiple pesticide residues are very rare—only 5.5% of Clean Fifteen vegetables showed traces of more than 1 pesticide. Note: Some sweet corn sold in the U.S. comes from genetically engineered seed. Buy organic corn if you want to avoid eating GE food.
3) Pineapples
Photo by Jerome Decq via Flickr
89% of pineapples showed no pesticide residue.
4) Cabbage
Multiple pesticide residues are very rare—only 5.5% of Clean Fifteen vegetables showed traces of more than 1 pesticide.
5) Frozen sweet peas
Photo by Paul Wilkinson via Flickr
Multiple pesticide residues are very rare—only 5.5% of Clean Fifteen vegetables showed traces of more than 1 pesticide.
6) Onions
Multiple pesticide residues are very rare—only 5.5% of Clean Fifteen vegetables showed traces of more than 1 pesticide.
7) Asparagus
Photo by Liz West via Flickr
Multiple pesticide residues are very rare—only 5.5% of Clean Fifteen vegetables showed traces of more than 1 pesticide.
8) Mangoes
Photo by versesane via Flickr
78% of mangoes showed no pesticide residue.
9) Papayas
Photo by Quinn Dombrowski via Flickr
81% of papayas showed no pesticide residue. Note: Some papaya sold in the U.S. comes from genetically engineered seed. Buy organic papaya if you want to avoid eating GE food.
10) Kiwis
Photo by Rusty Clark via Flickr
73% of kiwis showed no pesticide residue.
11) Eggplant
Multiple pesticide residues are very rare—only 5.5% of Clean Fifteen vegetables showed traces of more than 1 pesticide.
12) Honeydew Melon
Photo by Rob Bertholf via Flickr
No single fruit sample from the Clean Fifteen™ tested positive for more than 4 types of pesticides.
13) Grapefruit
Photo by Victoria Rachitzky Hoch via Flickr
No single fruit sample from the Clean Fifteen™ tested positive for more than 4 types of pesticides.
14) Cantaloupe
Photo by Forest and Kim Starr via Flickr
62% of cantaloupes showed no pesticide residue
15) Cauliflower
Multiple pesticide residues are very rare among this group—only 5.5% of Clean Fifteen vegetables showed traces of more than 1 pesticide.
The EWG offers a handy printable version of the Dirty Dozen and Clean Fifteen for you to stick on the fridge or drop in your grocery bags. For processed products, you can use their Food Scores site.
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