The Dirty Dozen and the Clean Fifteen

When it comes to pesticide use and fruit & vegetables,  some of these foods are higher in pesticides than others.  The US has put out a list called the “dirty dozen” which are the foods that have the most pesticide residues.  Australia doesn’t have a current survey and our pesticide use is a little different from the US, but here is what the current lists call the “Dirty Dozen”:

• Strawberries
• Kale
• Apples
• Spinach
• Grapes
• Potatoes – Not as bad in Australia
• Nectarines
• Frozen peas – Not as bad in Australia
• Cucumbers
• Peaches
• Celery
• Chilli peppers
• Capsicum – An Australian addition – Worse here in than in the US
• Lettuce- An Australian addition – Worse here in than in the US
• Broccoli – An Australian addition – Worse here in than in the US

Then there are fruits and vegies that don’t hold as much pesticide residue which is usually those with thicker skins.  The “Clean Fifteen are:

• Avocadoes
• Cauliflower
• Sweet peas
• Rockmelon
• Sweet corn
• Kiwi fruit
• Mangos
• Eggplant
• Asparagus
• Sweet potato
• Pineapples
• Grapefruit
• Cabbage
• Mushrooms
• Papayas (paw paw)

It’s still advisable to wash these fruits and vegies thoroughly, but if possible, try to buy as much of your fruit and vegies as certified organic, or at the very least the “Dirty Dozen” as organic!

  02/10/2014     Articles     0 Comment(s)