FYI:"The Dirty Dozen" and "The CleanFifteen"

I read this article
It stated that these foods were tested as normally eaten, i.e. washed and in some cases peeled. I was surprised to find that washed, peeled apples, bananas and potatoes were on the 'dirty' list.

Here is more:

The Shopper's Guide was developed by Environmental Working Group (EWG), based on the results of nearly 43,000 tests for pesticides on produce by the Department of Agriculture and the Food and Drug Administration between 2000 and 2004. EWG's computer analysis found that consumers could cut their pesticide exposure by almost 90 percent by avoiding the most contaminated fruits and vegetables and eating the least contaminated instead.

Eating the 12 most contaminated fruits and vegetables will expose a person to about 15 pesticides a day, on average. Eating the 12 least contaminated will expose a person to fewer than two pesticides a day.

"Federal produce tests tell us that some fruits and vegetables are so likely to be contaminated with pesticides that you should always buy them organic," said Richard Wiles, EWG's senior vice president. "Others are so consistently clean that you can eat them with less concern. With the Shopper's Guide in your pocket, it's easy to tell which is which."

EWG's analysis of federal testing data found:
•Peaches and apples topped the Dirty Dozen list. Almost 97 percent of peaches tested positive for pesticides, and almost 87 percent had two or more pesticide residues. About 92 percent of apples tested positive, and 79 percent had two or more pesticides. The rest of the Dirty Dozen include sweet bell peppers, celery, nectarines, strawberries, cherries, pears, imported grapes, spinach, lettuce, and potatoes.
•Onions, avocados, and sweet corn headed the Consistently Clean list. For all three foods, more than 90 percent of the samples tested had no detectable pesticide residues. Others on the Consistently Clean list include pineapples, mango, asparagus, sweet peas, kiwi, bananas, cabbage, broccoli, and papaya.

The above is from http://www.ewg.org/release/when-should-you-buy-organic

Please note that this was based on information gathered between 2000 and 2004.

My personal take is that I will be careful, as always, about food prep, but continue to eat those things which have other good things going for them.

Marie

coloCan said:

Got my info at the following:
www.emaxhealth.com/1506/apple-knock-celery-top-dirty-dozen-produce-list

it can still be found at emaxhealth.com

if you search for "dirty dozen"


and this is a prime example of chemobrain at work......Joe is absolutely correct--I fukked up--it should be BLUEBERRIES at #10, nor bananas......Damn!!!!!(Ineed a different proofreader than the typist)

steve

Blueberries
Hi steve

Think you mixed up bananas with blueberries, I checked the link you sent and it was blueberries not bananas.

Phew thought I was going crazy for a second

Thanks for posting great post by the way always have my dirty dozen list available as to save money at whole foods. I only buy what I have to because whole foods rapes your wallet,lol.
Thanks again
Joseph

plh4gail said:

So how do you get the
So how do you get the produce listed on the dirty dozen so you (I) can eat them? Without all the yucky pesticides. Is the organic the way you do that?

Not meaning to sound dingy, it's just that...well...when it comes to the combination of recently had chemo and just learning about healthier stuff which I want to do....I guess I'm dingy.

2 ways
Gail,

You can go the organic route or you can shop at one of the health food supermarkets like Whole Foods, Earthfare, Wild Oats, Trader Joes or local co-ops where they guarantee fruits and veggies that are not exposed to pesticides. Organic takes work and years to get all the bad stuff out of the soil. What you will see will be signs saying conventional or organic. Conventional is okay with the dirty dozen at the health food stores.

FYI, recent testing is showing organic foods to have more nutrients too! Much like grass fed beef having more protein and less fat then grain fed beef.

Also, locally grown "stuff" from curb markets or farmers markets beats store bought organic due to the freshest "stuff" having the most nutrients. Better yet, learn how to grow your own. Over the years I have added blueberries, raspberries, and blackberries to my yard and they are very easy to maintain. I also have a big garden with the usuals. I love it and have learned so much the last 5-6 years! Just picked my summers garlic yesterday (12 heads).

Ask away, it is the best way to learn. We were all new at this at one time too!!!

Lisa P.