The Dirty Dozen and the Clean Fifteen Lists

                        

June 2010, a report from the Environmental Working Group (a nonprofit group focused on public health) hit the news big with its reference to a list of foods called ‘The Dirty Dozen” . Their research concluded that these 12 fruits and vegetables still contained pesticides after the produce was washed with USDA high-power pressure water system. These foods are believed to be most susceptible because they have soft skin that tends to absorb more pesticides. The report suggests limiting consumption of pesticides by purchasing organic for these 12 fruits and vegetables. Following is the list.

The Dirty Dozen List                          

Apples

Bell peppers

Blueberries

Celery

Cherries

Imported Grapes

Lettuce

Nectarines

Peaches

Potatoes

Spinach /Kale /Collard Greens

Strawberries

The Clean Fifteen List:

Asparagus

Avocados

Cabbage

Cantaloupe

Eggplant

Grapefruit

Honeydew melon

Kiwi

Mango

Onions

Pineapple

Sweet corn

Sweet peas

Sweet potato

Watermelon

Not all non-organic fruits and vegetables have as high a level of pesticides. The Clean Fifteen list has a stronger outer layer that provides a defense against pesticide contamination. But even the Clean Fifteen need to be washed well. Because pesticides are created to be water-resistant (they have to stay on even when it rains), just water is not enough to get the chemicals off.  I clean them with equal parts water and white vinegar.

    

I recently read a book called Organic Manifesto by Maria Rodale, which I recommend to you if you are interested in learning why eating organic is so important for your health and the environment. Her book also includes the latest heath research from very reputable sources.

       For 31 years, I have studied the relationship between chemicals on our food and our health. I have not in all these years read about or found a positive coorelation between the two. What I do know is there’s a domino effect with chemical farming that effects us in ways I am sure we don’t even know about yet. For these reasons I have always had an organic garden and one of the reasons we now have Tanglewood Berry Farm; a certified USDA Organic Fruit and Vegetable Farm.