This is advice from Marion Nestle with regard to the Environmental Working Group’s 2011 report on the most and least pesticide-laden fruits and vegetables.Why? Because you can avoid the typical pesticide risks by buying organic (consider better tasting produce an additional benefit). The list below contains the most contaminated fruits and vegetables and the ones that are likely the most important to buy organic.
The Dirty Dozen
1. apples
2. celery
3. strawberries
4. peaches
5. spinach
6. imported nectarines
7. imported grapes
8. sweet bell peppers
9. potatoes
10. domestic blueberries
11. lettuce
12. kale/collard greens
These are fruits and vegetables that are least likely to be contaminated.
The Clean Fifteen
1. onions
2. sweet corn
3. pineapple
4. avocado
5. asparagus
6. sweet peas
7. mango
8. eggplant
9. domestic cantaloupe
10. kiwifruit
11. cabbage
12. watermelon
13. sweet potatoes
14. grapefruit
15. mushrooms
Happy shopping and have a great weekend!