Dirty Dozen and Clean Fifteen of 2014

Every year, the Environmental Working Group puts out two lists.  One is a list of the most pesticide contaminated produce (Dirty Dozen), and the other is a list of the cleanest (Clean Fifteen).  Both lists have grown beyond their initial numbers, and there are now 51 items listed in the Dirty Dozen/Clean Fifteen, this year.

The Dirty Dozen (in order from heaviest pesticide load to lightest) and Clean Fifteen (read from bottom to top if you want to find the cleanest produce first):

1. Apples
2. Strawberries
3. Grapes
4. Celery
5. Peaches
6. Spinach
7. Sweet Bell Peppers
8. Nectarines - imported
9. Cucumbers
10. Cherry Tomatoes
11. Snap Peas - imported
12. Potatoes
13. Hot Peppers
14. Blueberries - domestic
15. Lettuce
16. Kale/Collard Greens
17. Plums
18. Cherries
19. Nectarines - domestic
20. Pears
21. Tangerines
22. Carrots
23. Blueberries - imported
24. Green Beans
25. Winter Squash
26. Summer Squash
27. Raspberries
28. Broccoli
29. Snap Peas - domestic
30. Green Onions
31. Oranges
32. Bananas
33. Tomatoes
34. Watermelon
35. Honeydew Melons
36. Mushrooms
37. Sweet Potatoes
38. Cauliflower
39. Cantaloupe
40. Grapefruit
41. Eggplant
42. Kiwi
43. Papayas
44. Mangoes
45. Asparagus
46. Onions
47. Sweet Peas - frozen
48. Cabbage
49. Pineapples
50. Sweet Corn
51. Avocados

So, when you are rolling through the aisles of the grocery store, be sure to choose organic produce for most items, if it's possible.  If it's not, then use this guide to choose the best options for you, and your household.

Dirty Dozen 2011

So, the other day, I posted the "Dirty Dozen"; a list of fruits and vegetables that more readily retain pesticides versus those that do not.  I saw today that the Environmental Working Group has released an updated list:

1. Apples

2. Celery

3. Strawberries

4. Peaches

5. Spinach

6. Imported nectarines

7. Imported grapes

8. Sweet bell peppers

9. Potatoes

10. Domestic blueberries

11. Lettuce

12. Kale/collard greens

The group also lists the "Clean 15," or those that rank lowest in pesticide residues. These are:

1. Onions

2. Sweet Corn

3. Pineapples

4. Avocado

5. Asparagus

6. Sweet peas

7. Mangoes

8. Eggplant

9. Domestic cantaloupe

10. Kiwi

11. Cabbage

12. Watermelon

13. Sweet Potatoes

14. Grapefruit

15. Mushrooms

Again, this something to keep in mind when allocating your food budget.  Try to go organic where you can.  

The Dirty Dozen

Now, we all know that organic food can be more expensive, than non-organic.  It makes it a little difficult to to be consistent, and know that you are getting what you need out of your produce.  This list has been floating around for a long time, but I feel it's essential to the discussion.  If you are limited in your organic choices, or funding for your organic choices, you can still make better decisions in the produce department.  If you can't go all organic, at least consider these two lists:


12 Most Contaminated

• Peaches
• Apples
• Sweet Bell Peppers
• Celery
• Nectarines
• Strawberries
• Cherries
• Pears
• Grapes (Imported)
• Spinach
• Lettuce
• Potatoes

12 Least Contaminated

• Onions
• Avocado
• Sweet Corn (Frozen)
• Pineapples
• Mango
• Asparagus
• Sweet Peas (Frozen)
• Kiwi Fruit
• Bananas
• Cabbage
• Broccoli
• Papaya

You'll notice that the "most contaminated" lists has a lot of fleshy fruit, and these can absorb many of the toxins easier than say a pineapple that has a tough skin.  So, print this out, and bring it with you to the store.  I know many of these aren't always available (organic strawberries are impossible to find in my area unless you go to Trader Joe's, or an organic farm), but at least you will be able to make an informed decision.