Photo courtesy of Dr. Weil080700

Courtesy of Dr. Andrew Weil

The Environmental Working Group (EWG), a nonprofit organization that advocates for policies that protect global and individual health, is trying to spread the word about one of its most valuable pieces of research – a Shoppers’ Guide to Pesticides in Produce. The 2015 version is based on the results of pesticide tests performed on produce and collected by federal agencies from the past nine years.
Nearly all of the data used took into account how people typically wash and prepare produce – for example, apples were washed and bananas peeled before testing. The following “Dirty Dozen Plus” had the highest pesticide load, making them the most important to buy organic versions – or to grow them organically yourself:
• Apples
• Peaches
• Nectarines
• Strawberries
• Grapes
• Celery
• Spinach
• Sweet Bell Peppers
• Cucumbers
• Cherry Tomatoes
• Snap Peas (Imported)
• Potatoes
• Hot Peppers
• Kale
• Collard Greens
Why should you care about pesticides? The EWG points out that there is a growing consensus in the scientific community that small doses of pesticides and other chemicals can have adverse effects on health, especially during vulnerable periods such as fetal development and childhood.
Also keep in mind that maintaining your family’s health is not the only reason to choose organic food. Pesticide and herbicide use contaminates groundwater, ruins soil structures and promotes erosion, and may be a contributor to “colony collapse disorder,” the sudden and mysterious die-off of pollinating honeybees that threatens the American food supply. Buying or growing organic food is good for the health of the planet.