The Environmental Working Group has released it’s list of dirtiest fruits and vegetables for 2012. Apples and Celery are considered the two dirtiest. The EWG suggests buying these “dirty” products organic, as organic produce is grown using plant or animal materials, instead of chemical.
From CNN.com
Watch out for the 2012 “Dirty Dozen”
Apples and celery are still agriculture’s dirtiest pieces of produce, according to the Environmental Working Group’s annual “Dirty Dozen” report. The report names the fruits and vegetables ranking highest in pesticide residue.
Cucumbers were added to the 2012 Dirty Dozen, while Kale and collard greens were moved from the list to join green beans in a new “Plus” category.
The category was created this year to highlight crops that did not meet traditional Dirty Dozen criteria but are still commonly contaminated with organophosphate insecticides, which are toxic to the nervous system.
Also included on the Dirty Dozen list are:
1. Apples
2. Celery
3. Sweet bell peppers
4. Peaches
5. Strawberries
6. Imported nectarines
7. Grapes
8. Spinach
9. Lettuce
10. Cucumbers
11. Domestic blueberries
12. Potatoes
And on the “Dirty Dozen Plus” list:
+ Green beans
+ Kale/collard greens
The fruits and vegetables with the least amount of pesticide residue make up a list of the “Clean 15″:
1. Onions
2. Sweet corn
3. Pineapples
4. Avocado
5. Cabbage
6. Sweet peas
7. Asparagus
8. Mangoes
9. Eggplant
10. Kiwi
11. Domestic cantaloupe
12. Sweet potatoes
13. Grapefruit
14. Watermelon
15. Mushrooms