Planting my garden this past week (so very late due to cold damp May and lots of April travel), I’ve been focused on the future glory of fresh vegetables. Which is much better than focusing on the current reality of thistles and morning glory and slugs. Some produce is startlingly better if you grow it yourself – tomatoes, cucumbers and strawberries, for example. But for other crops –potatoes and garlic come to mind – the distinction between “home-grown” and “store-bought” is lost on me.What about the distinction between “organic” and whatever you want to call the other stuff – “pesticide-enhanced”? There is ongoing unresolved controversy about the distinction (if there is one) between the nutritional value of organically grown produce versus non-organics. There can be a distinction (but not always) in taste. There is always a glaring distinction in cost. So…following the “you are what you eat” motto that is central to living a counterclockwise life, what should we be buying/growing/eating as we move into these months of fruit and vegetable splendor and magnificence?I wanted to remind myself (and I am now reminding you) about the so-call Dirty Dozen, the fruits and vegetables that you absolutely want to buy organic (or grow yourself) because of pesticide load.Researchers at the Environmental Working Group, a U.S. non-profit that specializes in research and advocacy, conducted extensive (and ongoing) analysis to determine the most contaminated fruits and vegetables. Here they are (in order): Apples, peaches, nectarines, strawberries, grapes, celery, spinach, sweet bell peppers, cucumbers, cherry tomatoes, snap peas, potatoes, hot peppers. So buy organic or grow yourself. Or, if neither is a possibility, avoid.You can add to your avoid or buy organic list: beef (strong suggestion of connection between hormones given to cattle and cancer in humans) and milk from rBST or rBGH-treated cows (17% of dairy cows are treated with the hormone). Oh, and by the way: Don’t buy microwave popcorn even if the popcorn is “organic.” The linings of microwave-popcorn bags may contain a toxic chemical called perfluorooctanoic acid (used to prevent the food from sticking to the paper), which, according to the EPA, is a likely carcinogen.And now, for the Don’t Worry list, the Clean 15 with the lowest pesticide load. This is courtesy of Dr, Andrew Weil: avocados, sweet corn, pineapples, cabbage , sweet peas (frozen), onions, asparagus, mangoes, papayas, kiwi, eggplant, grapefruit, cantaloupe (domestic), cauliflower, sweet potatoes.Now go plant something.
Lauren Kessler
Lauren is the author of 15 narrative nonfiction books and countless essays, articles, and blogs.
FAQs
The 2024 Clean 15:
- Avocados.
- Sweet corn.
- Pineapple.
- Onions.
- Papaya.
- Sweet peas (frozen)
- Asparagus.
- Honeydew melon.
And now, for the Don't Worry list, the Clean 15 with the lowest pesticide load. This is courtesy of Dr, Andrew Weil: avocados, sweet corn, pineapples, cabbage , sweet peas (frozen), onions, asparagus, mangoes, papayas, kiwi, eggplant, grapefruit, cantaloupe (domestic), cauliflower, sweet potatoes.
Are oranges part of the Clean 15? ›
Clean 15 Group
Completing that group of 15 are eggplant, honeydew melons, grapefruit, cantaloupe, and cauliflower. To push that portion of the list to 25 would also include mushrooms, sweet potatoes, broccoli, watermelon, oranges, bananas, green onions, snap peas (domestic), summer squash, and tangerines.
Are sweet potatoes on the clean 15? ›
Sweet potatoes are frequently on our Clean Fifteen™, the Shopper's Guide list of non-organic, or conventional, produce least contaminated with pesticides. Green beans: Conventional whole green beans contained 94 different pesticides – including the neurotoxic organophosphate insecticide acephate.
Does baking soda remove pesticides? ›
Beyond that, studies have shown that while washing produce in a baking soda solution can reduce pesticide residues by 66.7–98.9%, washing in tap water alone can reduce by 26.7–62.9%. Knowing that the levels of pesticide residues are almost negligible anyway, the advantage added by baking soda becomes minuscule.
Are bananas part of the Clean 15? ›
Usually, the closer produce is to the clean 15, the more comfortable I feel about purchasing conventional. Bananas are a good example—while they didn't make the Clean 15, they are close. Usually organic bananas are about twenty cents more per pound at my grocery store, so I still buy the organic bananas.
Are potatoes clean 15 or dirty dozen? ›
The Potato: One of EWG's Dirty Dozen.
Is watermelon on the clean list? ›
Rounding out the “Clean Fifteen” were frozen sweet peas, asparagus, honeydew melons, kiwis, cabbage, watermelons, mushrooms, mangoes, sweet potatoes and carrots.
Are cucumbers on the dirty list? ›
Unfortunately, the cucumber peel — which contains much of its nutrients — is the most highly contaminated part. Pick up organic cucumbers instead.
Is Celery on the Clean 15? ›
The Clean Fifteen are fruits and vegetables that are less likely to be sprayed. Therefore, if you can't always buy organic, these are the safest conventional options. I eat a lot of some of the things on this list: celery, spinach, kale, and peaches.
Clean 15 option
Avocados topped 2023's list of least contaminated produce again this year, followed by sweet corn in second place. Pineapple, onions and papaya, frozen sweet peas, asparagus, honeydew melon, kiwi, cabbage, mushrooms, mangoes, sweet potatoes, watermelon, and carrots made up the rest of the list.
Are onions dirty dozen? ›
Avocados, sweet corn, pineapples, onions and papayas led the “Clean Fifteen” list of conventionally grown produce with the least amount of trace pesticides — nearly 65% of the fruits and veggies in that grouping had no detectable pesticide residues, according to the report released Wednesday.
Is cantaloupe clean 15? ›
13. Cantaloupe. Of 372 cantaloupes tested, over 60% had no detectable pesticide residues, and only 10% of those with residues had more than one type.
Does peeling apples remove pesticides? ›
“Rather than fostering undue apprehension, the research posits that peeling can effectively eliminate nearly all pesticide residues, contrasted with the frequently recommended practice of washing.”
Are carrots pesticide free? ›
Conventionally grown carrots absorb large amounts of organochlorines and other harmful sprays right into the root that we eat .
What foods are on the Clean 15 list? ›
The 'Clean 15' is the top 15 conventional fruits & veggies with the least amount of pesticide residue.
- Carrots.
- Sweet Potatoes.
- Mangoes.
- Mushrooms.
- Watermelon.
- Cabbage.
- Kiwi.
- Honeydew Melon.
Here are 16 foods that may be worthy of the esteemed superfood title.
- Dark Leafy Greens. Share on Pinterest Ryan Miller/Offset Images. ...
- Berries. Berries are a nutritional powerhouse of vitamins, minerals, fiber and antioxidants. ...
- Green Tea. ...
- Eggs. ...
- Legumes. ...
- Nuts and Seeds. ...
- Kefir (And Yogurt) ...
- Garlic.
This is the complete list of the 12 fruits and vegetables with the highest amounts of pesticides this year.
- Strawberries.
- Spinach.
- Kale, collard & mustard greens.
- Grapes.
- Peaches.
- Pears.
- Nectarines.
- Apples.
Planting my garden this past week (so very late due to cold damp May and lots of April travel), I’ve been focused on the future glory of fresh vegetables. Which is much better than focusing on the current reality of thistles and morning glory and slugs. Some produce is startlingly better if you grow it yourself – tomatoes, cucumbers and strawberries, for example. But for other crops –potatoes and garlic come to mind – the distinction between “home-grown” and “store-bought” is lost on me.
What about the distinction between “organic” and whatever you want to call the other stuff – “pesticide-enhanced”? There is ongoing unresolved controversy about the distinction (if there is one) between the nutritional value of organically grown produce versus non-organics. There can be a distinction (but not always) in taste. There is always a glaring distinction in cost. So…following the “you are what you eat” motto that is central to living a counterclockwise life, what should we be buying/growing/eating as we move into these months of fruit and vegetable splendor and magnificence?I wanted to remind myself (and I am now reminding you) about the so-call Dirty Dozen, the fruits and vegetables that you absolutely want to buy organic (or grow yourself) because of pesticide load.Researchers at the Environmental Working Group, a U.S. non-profit that specializes in research and advocacy, conducted extensive (and ongoing) analysis to determine the most contaminated fruits and vegetables. Here they are (in order): Apples, peaches, nectarines, strawberries, grapes, celery, spinach, sweet bell peppers, cucumbers, cherry tomatoes, snap peas, potatoes, hot peppers. So buy organic or grow yourself. Or, if neither is a possibility, avoid.You can add to your avoid or buy organic list: beef (strong suggestion of connection between hormones given to cattle and cancer in humans) and milk from rBST or rBGH-treated cows (17% of dairy cows are treated with the hormone). Oh, and by the way: Don’t buy microwave popcorn even if the popcorn is “organic.” The linings of microwave-popcorn bags may contain a toxic chemical called perfluorooctanoic acid (used to prevent the food from sticking to the paper), which, according to the EPA, is a likely carcinogen.And now, for the Don’t Worry list, the Clean 15 with the lowest pesticide load. This is courtesy of Dr, Andrew Weil: avocados, sweet corn, pineapples, cabbage , sweet peas (frozen), onions, asparagus, mangoes, papayas, kiwi, eggplant, grapefruit, cantaloupe (domestic), cauliflower, sweet potatoes.Now go plant something.