Many consumers these days are fixated on buying organic food. But, many of them don’t have much information on what is motivating their organic purchases other than, “it’s better for me.” With the recent release of the annual USDA report on pesticides, there is no better time than now to learn more about pesticides and organics as they relate to your fruit and vegetable choices.
There’s a “Dirty Dozen,” headlined by apples, celery and strawberries. And there’s also a catchy “Clean 15” of fruits and vegetables lowest in pesticides. The top three on that list: onions, sweet corn and pineapples.
The Environmental Working Group (EWG) suggests that people buy organically grown fruits and vegetables for the varieties on its list of the most likely to carry pesticide residues. But the group also says the health benefits from produce mean that “eating conventionally-grown produce is far better than not eating fruits and vegetables at all.”
This story is well-timed as there is still time to plant several of the dirty dozen items in your own garden. In a couple months you could enjoy your own pesticide-free harvest!