The Clean 15 & Dirty Dozen

Pesticide levels a major concern in produce

The Environmental Working Group (EWG) in the US recently released their “Clean 15 & Dirty Dozen” list for 2015.

The EWG is an non-profit non-partisan organization in the US which is dedicated to protecting human health and the environment for over two decades.

The EWG analyzed produce in the United States to measure residual pesticide levels with the aim to increase our awareness about our level of exposure to these substances on our food. Buying organic isn’t always possible, but clipping this list out can make it easy for us when choosing between which produce to buy. If organic isn’t always in your budget, buying no-spray produce at our farmers markets or local farms or from Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) programs can help us decrease our exposure and help support local small businesses.

No spray produce is food that is grown without the use of pesticides and herbicides, but the farm hasn’t gone through or finished the usually costly process of becoming certified organic.

Of course the benefits of choosing to eat fruit/veggies out weighs not eating them, so don’t stop eating your veggies if you can’t afford organic!

EWG’s Clean 15 were the found to be the least likely to hold pesticide residues and have low combinations of pesticide residues, with only 5.5 per cent having two or more pesticide residues found.

EWG’s Clean 15

• avocado
• sweet corn
• pineapples
• cabbage
• frozen sweet peas
• onions
• asparagus
• mango
• papaya
• kiwi
• eggplant
• grapefruit
• cantaloupe
• cauliflower
• sweet potatoes

The EWG’s Dirty Dozen are produce which was found to have the highest pesticide residue amounts. Many tested positive for two or more pesticides, with some samples containing as much as 15 different pesticide residues.

EWG’s Dirty Dozen

• apples
• peaches
• nectarines
• strawberries
• grapes
• celery
• spinach
• sweet bell peppers
• cucumbers
• cherry tomatoes
• imported snap peas
• potatoes

This column is not intended to provide medical diagnosis or treatment. Do not stop the use of any prescribed medications without discussion with your prescribing physician. If you have any health concerns, please see a health care practitioner.

Dr. Tara Lantz, ND is founder of South Shore Naturopathic in Mahone Bay and has a practice that extends from Halifax to Yarmouth. Dr. Lantz takes a functional medicine approach and incorporates counseling, coaching, bodywork, and acupuncture into her naturopathic practice. Visit her online at www.drtaralantz.ca.