Pesticides and Produce: The Dirty Dozen and The Clean Fifteen

Recent studies have showed that pesticide consumption could be related to attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, an increased risk of some cancers, and lowered child IQ when pregnant mothers are exposed to pesticides.

Farming practices throughout the world include the generous use of pesticides to keep fruits and vegetables looking unblemished and shiny – just how we like to buy them.

Below is a list of produce that is most likely to be contaminated with pesticides – when you purchase these in the store, try choosing the organic ones.

The Dirty Dozen

1. Apples
2. Celery
3. Strawberries
4. Peaches
5. Spinach
6. Nectarines (imported)
7. Grapes (imported)
8. Sweet bell peppers
9. Potatoes
10. Blueberries (domestic)
11. Lettuce
12. Kale/collard greens

Go for these pure fruits and veggies that have the least amount of contamination from pesticides of all the produce on the shelves. These are safer, and there’s no need to spend the extra cash on the organic brand.

The Clean Fifteen

1. Onions
2. Sweet corn
3. Pineapples
4. Avocados
5. Asparagus
6. Sweet peas
7. Mangoes
8. Eggplant
9. Cantaloupe (domestic)
10. Kiwi
11. Cabbage
12. Watermelon
13. Sweet potatoes
14. Grapefruit
15. Mushrooms