The Most Toxic and Cleanest Produce

Every year, the Environmental Working Group (EWG) puts out two produce lists – The Dirty Dozen and The Clean 15. The Dirty Dozen is a list of produce to only eat organic because they are so laden with chemical pesticides. The Clean 15 is a list of foods to eat more safely in convention form, because testing on them has shown that they have little or no chemical pesticide residues in them when tested.

The Dirty Dozen

This list includes: strawberries, spinach, kale/collard/mustard greens, peaches, pears, nectarines, apples, grapes, hot and bell peppers, cherries, blueberries, green beans (new to the list).

The Clean Fifteen

This list includes: avocado, sweet corn, pineapples, onions, papaya, frozen sweet peas, asparagus, honeydew melons, kiwi fruit, cabbage, mushrooms, mangoes, sweet potatoes, watermelons, carrots.

Note: It is still best to avoid sweet corn and papaya unless organic, because they are genetically modified. Or, look for conventional forms that say non-GMO.

It’s best to do what you can with the information, and favor the Clean 15 foods when organic food is not available, or it’s too pricey for your budget. Also consider growing some of your own food. If you do not have space for a garden, you can grow veggies in pots on a terrace or patio, herbs in pots on your windowsill, and microgreens in a tray or  wide/low ceramic pot in a sunny window.

Also take advantage of the growing season by visiting farmers’ markets in your area. Be sure to ask them if they use chemical sprays. Most do not these days, but some still do. You can also freeze fruits and veggies when they are in season, or when your local grocery store has a sale on some Clean 15 or organic food(s).

For more information, check out The Food Revolution Network   And scroll to the bottom of the page for some yummy recipes.

Also check out EWG.

Check out my YouTube Channel:

Cooking Ideas Playlist

17 Ways to Use Tomatoes

Summer Veggie Cooking

11 Ways To Use Cucumbers

Ways To Use Peaches