Organic or conventional? When should you try and purchase organic? Have you heard of The Dirty Dozen Plus: 14 Foods You Should Buy Organic? Lists of the top clean fruits and vegetables as well as lists for the dirtiest fruits and vegetables are shown through analysis of government test results. Check bi-yearly, at least, for updated results or changes.
You can always double check the label on the food. It should start with the Plu # 9 to show that it is organic. Also, remember, whether organic or conventional; always wash your vegetables and fruits with water. When you cut into a piece of fruit, you will expose the inside to any outside germs with the knife unless you wash the outside of the fruit first.
This post was first published in 2011, but we have updated; So for 2015, here is the updated Dirty Dozen and Clean Fifteen List from The Environmental Working Group,EWG
According to EWG, The following is the clean fifteen list of produce least likely to hold pesticide residues.
avocados, sweet corn, pineapples, cabbage, frozen sweet peas, onions, asparagus, mangoes, papayas, kiwis, eggplant, grapefruit, cantaloupe, cauliflower and sweet potatoes
The produce with the highest pesticide loads for its Dirty Dozen list: apples, peaches, nectarines, strawberries, grapes, celery, spinach, sweet bell peppers, cucumbers, cherry tomatoes, imported snap peas and potatoes.
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