The Environmental Working Group released its annual worst and best lists of fresh produce based upon pesticide residues.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Pesticide Data Program results are the basis for the lists published under the trademarked Dirty Dozen and Clean Fifteen. The Environmental Working Group does no in-depth analysis of the government’s pesticide testing program results. Instead, the non-profit group pulls the most polluted fresh produce items using raw data.
The USDA states that the Pesticide Data Project (PDP), a national pesticide residue monitoring system, produces the most comprehensive pesticide residue data in the United States. Monitoring Programs Division oversees PDP activities. These include sampling, testing, reporting, and reporting on pesticide residues in agricultural commodities in the United States. food supply, with a special emphasis on commodities that are highly consumed by children and infants. This program is implemented in cooperation with state agricultural departments and other federal agencies.
The USDA regularly points out that nearly all fresh fruits and veggies tested are within acceptable limits of pesticide residues.
Here are the Environmental Working Groups’ lists for this year. The “dirty” list is in order from worst to best and the “clean” list is in order from best to worst.
Dirty Dozen
- Strawberries
- Spinach
- Collared and mustard greens, as well as kale
- Nectarines
- Apples
- Grapes
- Bell peppers and hot peppers
- Cherries
- Peaches
- Pears
- Celery
- Tomatoes
Clean Fifteen
*A small amount of sweet corn, papaya and summer squash sold in the United States is produced from genetically modified seeds. If you wish to avoid genetically modified crops, then it is best to buy organic varieties.
- Avocados
- Sweet corn*
- Pineapple
- Onions
- Papaya*
- Frozen sweet peas
- Asparagus
- Honeydew melon
- Kiwi
- Cabbage
- Mushrooms
- Cantaloupe
- Mangoes
- Watermelon
- Sweet Potatoes
Pesticide residues were found in more than 70% of non-organic produce that was tested by the FDA and USDA. This is a continuation of the problem highlighted in the last year report.
Alexis Temkin, Ph.D., EWG Toxicologist, stated that everyone should eat lots of fresh fruits and vegetables, regardless of where they are grown. However, shoppers have the right information about potentially toxic substances in these foods so they can make informed choices for their families.
The Environmental Working Groups Science AnalystSydney Swanson said in the announcement that the group recommends that, whenever possible, consumers purchase organic versions of “Dirty Dozen” produce. When organic options are unavailable or unaffordable, the group advises shoppers to buy produce from its “Clean Fifteen.” This year, almost 70 percent of “Clean Fifteen” samples had no detectable pesticide residues whatsoever, according to the Environmental Working Group.
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