The Dirty Dozen vs. the Clean Fifteen

Have you ever heard of the “Dirty Dozen” or the “Clean Fifteen?” Well here’s a little food for thought. The Environmental Working Group has taken time and resources to compile two lists, one being the “Dirty Dozen” which contains a list of the top 12 most contaminated (pesticide residue) foods and the second, “Clean Fifteen” lists the top 15 foods that have the least amounts of contaminants.

Here are a few things to consider when consuming foods from the “Dirty Dozen” list. When possible choose organic or grow them at home. Also don’t forget to continue to rinse all fruit and vegetables under running water. After all, these foods come in contact with human hands as well as other things.

 

Dirty Dozen:

Apples

Peaches

Nectarines

Strawberries

Grapes

Celery

Spinach

Sweet bell peppers

Cucumbers

Cherry tomatoes

Snap peas (imported)

Potatoes

Clean Fifteen:

Avocado

Sweet corn

Pineapples

Cabbage

Sweet peas (frozen)

Onions

Asparagus

Mangos

Papayas

Kiwi

Eggplant

Grapefruit

Cantaloupe

Cauliflower

Sweet potatoes

Source: Environmental Working Group