Buying organic food can add up quickly. Every year the Environmental Working Group (EWG) publishes The Dirty Dozen, Clean Fifteen Shopper’s Guide to Pesticides in Produce, identifying two lists of produce. The Dirty Dozen due to the signifiant level of pesticides retained in these foods, purchasing organic is recommended. The Clean Fifteen fruits and vegetables have lower levels of pesticide residue and buying organic less critical for these items.
The Dirty Dozen
- Apples
- Celery
- Cherry Tomatoes
- Cucumbers
- Grapes
- Nectarines
- Peaches
- Potatoes
- Snap Peas
- Spinach
- Strawberries
- Sweet Bell Peppers
- Hot Peppers
- Kale & Collard Greens
The Clean Fifteen
- Asparagus
- Avocados
- Cabbage
- Cantaloupe
- Cauliflower
- Eggplant
- Grapefruit
- Kiwi
- Mangoes
- Papayas
- Pineapples
- Sweet Corn
- Sweet Peas
- Sweet Potatoes