When shopping for produce, many people wonder if purchasing organic is actually a healthier choice. As it turns out, the answer is not a straight- forward yes or no. Pesticides are often used on foods in order to yield a better crop. In many cases, these pesticides are easily washed away prior to consumption, but the “Dirty Dozen” has been known to show higher levels of pesticides, even after washing. We recommend that you purchase organic versions of the following:
The Dirty Dozen
Apples
Strawberries
Grapes
Celery
Peaches
Spinach
Sweet bell peppers
Nectarines
Cucumbers
Cherry tomatoes
Snap peas
Potatoes
On the other end of the spectrum, the “Clean 15″ tends to show the least pesticide contamination, making it safe to purchase non-organic versions:
The Clean 15
Avocados
Sweet corn
Pineapples
Cabbage
Sweet peas (frozen)
Onions
Asparagus
Mangoes
Papayas
Kiwi
Eggplant
Grapefruit
Cantaloupe
Cauliflower
Sweet potatoes
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