There is a list that is helpful to navigate the sea of organic food choices, called the Clean Fifteen. This list of fifteen produce items that have very low pesticide residue levels is helpful to keep in mind when you are grocery shopping. It helps our family better target our limited grocery dollars toward foods that benefit from an organic label. I believe I have share the Clean Fifteen List in the past, but as a refresher, here is the Clean Fifteen:
Clean Fifteen
1. Onions
2. Avocados
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 Potatoes
Accompanying the Clean Fifteen was an original list of the Dirty Dozen, sort of a foil of the original Clean Fifteen, a list of the 12 most pesticide laden fruits and vegetables. Like the Clean Fifteen, the Dirty Dozen list is helpful in making informed organic food choices.
The original Dirty Dozen list has been circulating for years, but there was an announcement recently that, the Environmental Working Group, the group that has conducted the research and compiled the lists, had made the decision to update the Dirty Dozen list. Due to ongoing concerns about 3 additional produce items, the EWG added blueberries, potatoes and spinach to their Dirty Dozen list, so it now reads:
The 2010 Dirty Dozen
1. Celery
2. Peaches
3. Strawberries
4. Apples
5. Blueberries
6. Nectarines
7. Bell Peppers
8. Spinach
9. Kale
10. Cherries
11. Potatoes
12. Grapes (Imported)
The addition of blueberries is a big bummer for the Sweet Pea family, as R is absolutely addicted to blueberries. A treat for certain, as they can be quite pricey except when they are in season, I am hoping to track down some organic blueberries this summer at a not-so-extraordinary price. But track them down we will, since I hate to consider R inhaling pesticide residue along during his usual blueberry binge.
My tip for the week: remember to use your grocery dollars wisely, and target your organic food purchases according to the above lists.
SPC
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