Apples top 'Dirty Dozen' of most pesticide-laced produce list, Thursday, The Environmental Working Group released a list of the most pesticide laden fruits and vegetables, with apples at the top of the "Dirty Dozen" which identified the most pesticide-laden fruits and vegetables in the U.S.
The EWG ranks pesticide contamination on 48 of the most popular fruits and vegetables using analysis of more than 28,000 samples tested by the U.S. Department of Agriculture and federal Food and Drug Administration.
Government scientists wash or peel the samples before testing them so the results reflect what the American public is actually consuming.
2013 is the third year in a row in which apples had the most pesticides within them.
2013 Dirty Dozen
1. Apples
2. Celery
3. Cherry tomatoes
4. Cucumbers
5. Grapes
6. Hot peppers
7. Nectarines (imported)
8. Peaches
9. Potatoes
10. Spinach
11. Strawberries
12. Sweet bell peppers
Two more items, summer squash and kale/collard greens, did not meet the “Dirty Dozen” criteria, but are being highlighted because they were commonly contaminated with pesticides that are especially toxic to the nervous system, the organization said in its report.
Produce earning a place in the organization's Clean Fifteen are as follows:
1. Asparagus
2. Avocados
3. Cabbage
4. Cantaloupe
5. Sweet corn
6. Eggplant
7. Grapefruit
8. Kiwi
9. Mangos
10. Mushrooms
11. Onions
12. Papayas
13. Pineapples
14. Sweet peas (frozen)
15. Sweet potatoes
How to avoid pesticides in your food
Buy certified organic from the grocery store
Visit farms and local farmer's markets and be sure to ask the farmers what chemicals, if any, they use on their farms
If you have the land, grow your own fruits and vegetables where applicable. Strawberries, tomatoes, and peppers are fairly easy to grow to large pots or small patches of land.
Since our food supply is “the most important source of exposure” to the most dangerous compounds, the safest choice is to invest in organic food, educate yourself about pesticide exposure, and let Congress know you want policies that promote the growth of a healthy, organic food system.
The EWG ranks pesticide contamination on 48 of the most popular fruits and vegetables using analysis of more than 28,000 samples tested by the U.S. Department of Agriculture and federal Food and Drug Administration.
Government scientists wash or peel the samples before testing them so the results reflect what the American public is actually consuming.
2013 is the third year in a row in which apples had the most pesticides within them.
2013 Dirty Dozen
1. Apples
2. Celery
3. Cherry tomatoes
4. Cucumbers
5. Grapes
6. Hot peppers
7. Nectarines (imported)
8. Peaches
9. Potatoes
10. Spinach
11. Strawberries
12. Sweet bell peppers
Two more items, summer squash and kale/collard greens, did not meet the “Dirty Dozen” criteria, but are being highlighted because they were commonly contaminated with pesticides that are especially toxic to the nervous system, the organization said in its report.
Produce earning a place in the organization's Clean Fifteen are as follows:
1. Asparagus
2. Avocados
3. Cabbage
4. Cantaloupe
5. Sweet corn
6. Eggplant
7. Grapefruit
8. Kiwi
9. Mangos
10. Mushrooms
11. Onions
12. Papayas
13. Pineapples
14. Sweet peas (frozen)
15. Sweet potatoes
How to avoid pesticides in your food
Buy certified organic from the grocery store
Visit farms and local farmer's markets and be sure to ask the farmers what chemicals, if any, they use on their farms
If you have the land, grow your own fruits and vegetables where applicable. Strawberries, tomatoes, and peppers are fairly easy to grow to large pots or small patches of land.
Since our food supply is “the most important source of exposure” to the most dangerous compounds, the safest choice is to invest in organic food, educate yourself about pesticide exposure, and let Congress know you want policies that promote the growth of a healthy, organic food system.
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