Dirty Dozen or Clean Fifteen?

Organic may not always be better

Eating organic can be expensive but is it really worth it to pay the extra cost to eat organic. We believe it is best to avoid all chemical pesticides but at a minimum, it is especially important to avoid those fruits and vegetables with the highest levels.

The Environmental Working Group (EWG), a non-profit organization founded in 1993 to provide information to protect public health and the environment, has created a Shopper’s Guide to Pesticides in Produce and identified the “Dirty Dozen” and the “Clean Fifteen”.

CELW recommends using EWG’s information to guide your organic spending and eating choices.

Dirty Dozen Plus^™

Buy these organic because when conventionally grown they contain the highest amount of residual pesticides and chemicals.

1

Apples

2

Celery

3

Sweet bell peppers

4

Peaches

5

Strawberries

6

Nectarines
– imported

7

Grapes

8

Spinach

9

Lettuce

10

Cucumbers

11

Blueberries
– domestic

12

Potatoes

Plus

+

Green beans

+

Kale/Greens

+ May contain pesticide residues of special concern

Clean 15^™

When conventionally grown these contain the lowest amount of residual pesticides and chemicals

1

Onions

2

Sweet Corn

3

Pineapples

4

Avocado

5

Cabbage

6

Sweet peas

7

Asparagus

8

Mangoes

9

Eggplant

10

Kiwi

11

Cantaloupe
– domestic

12

Sweet potatoes

13

Grapefruit

14

Watermelon

15

Mushrooms

EWG has researched and analyzed all fruits and vegetables not just those on the Clean Fifteen and Dirty Dozen. You can look at who they are, what they do, and download the complete list along with a handy wallet size guide at Shopper’s Guide to Pesticide in Produce.