Each year the Environmental Working Group releases an updated Shopper’s Guide to Pesticides in Produce, which includes a list of the Dirty Dozen (the twelve fruits and vegetables most likely to be contaminated by pesticide residue) and the Clean Fifteen (the fifteen produce items lowest in residue). The lists are based on USDA and FDA pesticide testing data. As the EWG website points out, “eating conventionally grown produce is far better than not eating fruits and vegetables at all,” but you might want to consider purchasing organic versions of the foods on the Dirty Dozen list to reduce the amount of pesticides you consume. Rinsing, or even scrubbing, your produce may not be enough—for the tests, the samples were washed and/or peeled to approximate how you’d prepare the foods in your own home.
This year’s list isn’t substantially different than last year’s, but the EWG did add a “Plus” category to highlight two crops—green beans and leafy greens such as kale and collards—that didn’t meet the original testing criteria but showed high levels of organophosphate insecticide residue. Organophosphates have largely been phased out but are still used for some crops, and they’re toxic to the nervous system, especially affecting infants and children. For the first time, USDA scientists also looked at baby food, with some disturbing findings (read more in the EWG press release). Their suggestion: buy organic jarred baby food, or purchase organic produce and make your own baby food.
Now that summer is here, farmer’s markets or CSA subscriptions are another good option for purchasing less-contaminated produce. Ask vendors about their growing practices, since many small farms don’t go through the hassle of getting certified organic even though they follow many of the same practices.
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