Organics: "The Dirty Dozen" and "The Clean 15"

One of the questions I get the most is “Can you do organic (and natural) products on $40-50/week?” My answer is a resounding “YES”.  I can’t afford to go 100% organic, but I can pick out the foods that have the highest concentration in pesticides (and that we eat the most) and make those as my “organic” priority.

The Environmental Working Group (EWG) publishes a Shopper’s Guide to Pesticides in Produce which you can download here. They came up with this list called The Dirty Dozen; the 12 fruits and vegetables they have found to be the most contaminated and The Clean 15, least contaminated produce.

Why Does It Matter?
EWG research has found that people who eat the 12 most contaminated fruits and vegetables consume an average of 10 pesticides a
day. Those who eat the 15 least contaminated conventionally-grown fruits and vegetables ingest fewer than 2 pesticides daily. The Guide helps consumers make informed choices to lower their dietary pesticide load.

The Dirty Dozen
(buy these organic)

1. Peach
2. Apple
3. Bell Pepper
4. Celery
5. Nectarine
6. Strawberries
7. Cherries
8. Kale
9. Lettuce
10. Grapes (Imported)
11. Carrot
12. Pear

The Clean 15
(lowest in pesticides)

1. Onion
2. Avocado
3. Sweet Corn
4. Pineapple
5. Mango
6. Asparagus
7. Sweet Peas
8. Kiwi
9. Cabbage
10. Eggplant
11. Papaya
12. Watermelon
13. Broccoli
14. Tomato
15. Sweet Potato

Stay tuned for my tips next week on how to stock ahead on organic produce!