When is Organic Worth It?

I often wonder if the organic label—and its higher price tag—is truly worth the hype. We've come to learn that pesticide residue is a major public health concern, particularly in low-income areas where exposure can be disproportionately high (World Health Organization article). The growing cost is also cause for concern, especially given how quickly fresh produce can spoil.

In case you're like me and would rather be safe than sorry, it may be valuable to know which fruits and vegetables are considered "clean" and which the organic label is worth investing in.

Each year the Environmental Working Group, a non-profit group that has been making consumer public health guides annually, ranks 47 fruits and vegetables using USDA data from pesticide residue tests conducted on samples (this year 54,344 samples.) You can read the full list here, or see a summary below:

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The 15 with the least residue, known as the “Clean 15,” includes:

1)    Pineapple

2)    Sweet corn (fresh and frozen)

3)    Avocados

4)    Papaya

5)    Onion

6)    Sweet peas (frozen)

7)    Asparagus

8)    Cabbage

9)    Cauliflower

10)   Watermelon

11)    Mango

12)    Banana

13)    Carrot

14)    Mushroom

15)    Kiwi

The “Dirty Dozen,” includes:

47)    Spinach

46)    Kale, collard, and mustard greens

45)    Strawberries

44)    Grapes

43)    Nectarines

42)    Peaches

41)    Cherries

40)    Apples

39)    Blackberries

38)    Pears

37)    Potatoes

36)    Blueberries

The middle list includes:

16)    Broccoli

17)    Cantaloupe

18)    Sweet potatoes

19)    Eggplant

20)   Snap peas

21)   Grapefruit

22)   Raspberries

23)   Summer squash

24)   Oranges

25)   Tomatillos

26)   Plums

27)   Tomatoes

28)   Winter squash

29)   Cherry tomatoes

30)   Celery

31)    Cucumbers

32)   Tangerines

33)   Lettuce

34)   Bell and hot peppers

35)   Green beans

#nutrition #awareness #organicfoods #cleanfoods #food #worldhealthorganization #environmentalworkinggroup #balance