Dirty Dozen: The 12 Fruits And Vegetables With The Most Pesticides
Posted On June 14, 2011
Could an apple a day really keep the doctor away? Maybe — but what if it is also coated in pesticides?!?!
Check out this video report by the Newsy Group Organization.
Today, the Environmental Working Group, an advocacy nonprofit, released its latest “Dirty Dozen” list of the 12 fruits and vegetables that are most contaminated with pesticides, as an update to its 2010 rankings.
Which is the Dirtiest of the Dozen?
Taking first place this year is apples. The ubiquitous fruit beat out last year’s top spot, which went to celery (now at number two).
How Much SHOULD We Freak Out About This?
The potentially darker side of fruits and vegetables is centered around concerns about their pesticide loads, which some studies have linked to possible health problems, particularly among women who are pregnant and children. So when organic foods typically carry a higher price tag, what’s a frugal shopper to do?
That’s where the new shopper’s guide comes into play (download it here).
“Picking five servings of fruits and vegetables from the 12 most contaminated would cause you to consume an average of 14 different pesticides a day,” thegroup reports in its findings, which were based on data collected by the United States Departure of Agriculture of food samples that often were ready to be eaten (meaning that they had already been peeled or washed as necessary).
On the flip side, EWG writes that choosing foods from their counterpart “Clean 15” list will slash the pesticide volume by more than 90 percent. Topping the “Clean 15” were onions, sweet corn, pineapples and avocado (check out the full list here).
The Bottom Line
The EWG encourages going organic when it comes to items on their Dirty Dozen List, and they do clearly state that conventional produce is certainly better than none at all: “The health benefits of a diet rich in fruits and vegetables outweigh the risks of pesticide exposure.”
Why Do They Put Pesticide Nastiness On Our Apples In The First Place?
Luder told USA Today: “We think what’s happening to apples is more pesticides and fungicides are being applied after the harvest so the fruit can have a longer shelf life.”
More like plastic is better for them … worse for us.
Dirty Dozen: The 12 Fruits And Vegetables With The Most Pesticides
(Visited 4 times, 1 visits today)
About The Author
