Pesticides in Produce – Buying Conventional or Organic?

Dirty & Clean Foods List

The Environmental Working Group, a nonprofit organization that advocates for policies that protect global and individual health, produces a Shoppers’ Guide to Pesticides in Produce. It is based on the results of nearly 51,000 pesticide tests on food crops by the U.S. Department of Agriculture between 2000 and 2005. The results of their data takes into consideration the way in which consumers wash, peel and prepare produce prior to consumption.

Organic fruits and vegetables by definition are grown without the use of pesticides. But some find that the expense of buying organic is simply too much. Below is a list of 12 “dirty” foods followed by a list of 12 “clean” foods. These  two lists are for your information and are presented here to reiterate their importance. We, here at Transformation LLC, believe it is up to each person to weigh the costs of buying organic versus buying conventionally grown produce. Keep in mind, however, that research shows that the effects of pesticides on the body can definitely lead to serious health problems.

The EWG states that “the best option is to eat a varied diet, wash all produce, and choose organic when possible to reduce exposure to potentially harmful chemicals.”

12 Foods You Should ALWAYS Buy Organic

Of the 43 different fruit and vegetable categories in the Guide to Pesticides, the following twelve foods had the highest pesticide load when conventionally grown. For this reason, they are the least safe to consume:

  • Peaches
  • Apples
  • Sweet Bell Peppers
  • Celery
  • Nectarines
  • Strawberries
  • Cherries
  • Lettuce
  • Grapes (imported)
  • Pears
  • Spinach
  • Potatoes

12 Foods that You Don’t Have to Buy Organic

Of the 43 different fruit and vegetable categories in the Guide to Pesticides, the following twelve foods had the lowest pesticide load when conventionally grown. Consequently, they are the safest conventionally grown crops to consume:

  • Broccoli
  • Eggplant
  • Cabbage
  • Banana
  • Kiwi
  • Asparagus
  • Sweet peas (frozen)
  • Mango
  • Pineapple
  • Sweet corn (frozen)
  • Avocado
  • Onion
1 reply
  1. Bob Garon
    Bob Garon says:

    Fertilizers are a big concern with conventionally grown produce. Regardless of the pesticide, fungicide, and herbicide issues you still have the fertilizer which always contains MSG among other harmful toxins.

    I’ll stick to organic.

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