This one article caught my attention, The Dirty Dozen: 12 Foods You Should Always Buy Organic. When it comes to veggies and fruits, I always recommend buying organic, but these 12 "dirty" fruits and veggies blew me away with the amount of pesticides they have been known to contain.
Here's the top 12 list from One Green Planet. What are you surprised by?
1. Apples
The old saying “an apple a day keeps the doctor away” now includes an important caveat. With more than 40 different pesticides
detected, apples are consistently rated among the dirtiest produce
items. With 7 known carcinogens, 19 suspected hormone disruptors, 10
neurotoxins, and 6 developmental or reproductive toxins, non-organic
apples are a petri dish for negative health effects in humans. Insect
threats and fungus push farmers to spray several kinds of chemicals over
their orchards. This means that you should also try to purchase organic
apple juice and applesauce, as traces of pesticides have been found in
them as well!
2. Celery
USDA testing has discovered more than 60 different pesticides
on celery. A whopping 13 of these pesticides are known cancer causing
carcinogens. If you can’t find organic celery, try using onions or
broccoli for a lower-pesticide alternative.
3. Strawberries
Nearly 60 kinds of pesticides
have been found on strawberries! Given their delicate flesh and lack of
a protective skin, many of the pesticides sprayed on strawberries can
be found in the final product. The majority of these pesticides are
suspected hormone disruptors. If organic strawberries are unavailable or
too expensive, pineapple and kiwi are two of the lowest pesticide
fruits.
4. Peaches
More than 60 kinds of pesticides
have been found on peaches. It seems due to this tree fruits fuzzy skin
and vulnerability to insects and mold, the majority of these pesticides
are disappointingly retained. Can’t find organic peaches? Shopping at
farmers markets is a great idea. While organics aren’t always guaranteed
– we can alternatively discuss the use of pesticides with the farmers
themselves, to help make a more informed buying decision.
5. Spinach
With 48 types of pesticides,
Spinach is the leading contender in the leafy greens category. Two of
the most commonly used types of pesticides found in spinach are permethrin and dimethoate,
which are both potential human carcinogens. With over exposure to these
pesticides, we have increased chances in developing many types of
disorders including those of the brain, and nervous system.
Alternatively, canned spinach has been proven to carry less pesticide
residues when organics are not an option.
6. Nectarines
Yet another tree fruit found with high levels of pesticide residue, USDA data has found 33 different pesticides
on nectarines, and 7 of these are known carcinogens. If organic
nectarines aren’t available, Pineapples, papaya, or mangos make for
great alternatives.
7. Grapes
Over 30 pesticides
have been found on grapes. A large portion of these pesticides are
neurotoxins and potential hormone disruptors. Imported grapes have shown
to carry even higher levels of pesticide residues. When organic grapes
are not an option, domestically grown grapes are a smarter purchase.
8. Sweet Bell Peppers
Nearly 50 kinds
of pesticides have been detected on sweet bell peppers – and yes all
colors included! This cooking favourite veggie retains 11 known or
probable carcinogens, 26 suspected hormone disruptors, 13 neurotoxins,
and even carries a high level of bee toxins. With numbers like these,
its Organic pepper or no pepper!
9. White Potatoes
America’s favourite vegetable, the potato! While potatoes are a
vegetable of the ground, and generally perceived as safer, the USDA data
reveals 37 pesticide residues detected on the potato. Sweet potatoes are on the “Clean 15” list, and make a great alternative!
10. Blueberries
Coming in at #10 on our list, with just over 50 types
of pesticides detected is the blueberry. Surprisingly, frozen
blueberries have proved to be slightly less contaminated, however,
obvious alternatives like cranberries and raspberries are still high in
pesticides, even though they didn’t make the dirty dozen list. Feeling
the blueberry blues? When organics are not an option, consider using
bananas to top up your morning cereal.
11. Lettuce
With more than 50
pesticide residues found, lettuce joins Spinach in the leafy greens
category. The next time you’re making a salad and the organic lettuce
cannot be found, cabbage is an excellent alternative. Very few sprays
are required on cabbage, and luckily it doesn’t retain much of them. It
does however retain beta carotene, an antioxidant known for its possible cancer fighting attributes!
12. Kale/Collard Greens
A true superfood, Kale is known for its many health benefits,
including several cancer fighting antioxidants. Unfortunately we do more
harm than good by consuming non organic Kale. USDA testing shows 55 types of pesticides found on kale for the past 2 years consecutively. Safer alternatives to kale include cabbage, broccoli or dandelion greens.
Additional Tips
- When organic versions of the items on this list are unavailable or too expensive, favor fruits or vegetables with thick skins or peels (e.g. bananas, avocados, grapefruits and watermelon).
- As a general rule, tree fruits, berries, and leafy greens have the highest pesticide levels and should be prioritized for organic purchases.
