The dirty dozen

Some fruit and vegetables – called “the dirty dozen” (although there are now 14) – tend to have a high pesticide load, which means they are more prone to picking up synthetic chemicals used in pesticides in conventional farming. It’s therefore recommended you try to opt for organic as best you can.

If you can’t afford to buy organic, or don’t have organic options, then maybe go for the “clean fifteen” instead – the fruit and veg that are considered relatively safer to buy as non-organic, as they have a lower pesticide load.

The Dirty Dozen:

1. Apples
2. Celery
3. Cherry Tomatoes
4. Cucumbers
5. Grapes
6. Hot Peppers
7. Nectarines
8. Peaches
9. Potatoes
10. Spinach
11. Strawberries
12. Sweet Bell Peppers
13. Kale/Collard Greens
14. Summer Squash

The Clean Fifteen:

1. Asparagus
2. Avocados
3. Cabbage
4. Cantaloupe
5. Sweet Corn (not to be confused with potentially GMO canned corn)
6. Eggplant
7. Grapefruit
8. Kiwi
9. Mangoes
10. Mushrooms
11. Onions
12. Papayas
13. Pineapples
14. Sweet Peas
15. Sweet Potatoes

 

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