Organic Buying Guide: 12 Foods that are Often Best to Purchase Organically due to High Pesticide Exposure
In a recent report by the Environmental Working Group (EWG), the organization has released the 2024 Dirty Dozen list, which identifies the 12 fruits and vegetables with the highest levels of pesticide residue. The list recommends that these items be bought organic whenever possible due to their potential health risks.
The Dirty Dozen highlights produce that tends to have the most pesticide residues, some of which include chemicals linked to hormone disruption and other health concerns. Here's the 2024 Dirty Dozen list according to EWG:
1. Strawberries 2. Spinach 3. Kale, collard & mustard greens 4. Nectarines 5. Apples 6. Grapes 7. Cherries 8. Peaches 9. Pears 10. Bell & hot peppers 11. Celery 12. Tomatoes
These foods are notable for carrying the highest levels of pesticide residue and toxicity among commonly consumed produce, making organic versions especially advisable to reduce pesticide exposure.
The EWG emphasizes that about 75% of non-organic produce samples contain pesticide residues, with 95% of items on the Dirty Dozen list showing residues of pesticides that can potentially harm human health, including fungicides that disrupt hormone systems.
One notable example is bell & hot peppers, which were found to contain the highest diversity of any crop, with 115 different pesticides detected. Similarly, a single strawberry can contain 20 or more different pesticides, and over 50 different pesticides were detected in blueberries.
If only one thing organic can be purchased, the EWG suggests prioritizing strawberries or spinach, as they are consistently the worst offenders. Other fruits on the list, such as nectarines (94% had detectable pesticide residues) and peaches (over 50% had residues of neurotoxic pesticides), also require careful consideration.
However, it's important to note that dietitians also stress the importance of eating a variety of fruits and vegetables, organic or not, for overall health benefits.
To help consumers prioritize which foods to buy organic for maximum health benefits, the EWG also provides a Clean Fifteen list, which includes produce with lower levels of pesticide residue, such as avocados, sweet corn, and pineapples. Additionally, using a baking soda wash (soaking produce in 1 tsp baking soda and water for 15 minutes) can help remove most surface pesticides.
In conclusion, the 2024 Dirty Dozen list provides valuable information for consumers looking to reduce their pesticide exposure by prioritizing organic produce. By following this list and incorporating a variety of fruits and vegetables into their diet, individuals can make informed choices about their food and promote their overall health.
- The Environmental Working Group (EWG) advises buying organic strawberries or spinach, as they have the highest levels of pesticide residue, according to the 2024 Dirty Dozen list.
- The Dirty Dozen list includes several fruits and vegetables with concerning pesticide residues, some of which are linked to hormone disruption and other health problems, such as nectarines, peaches, and apples.
- Health-and-wellness advocates recommend workplace-wellness initiatives that promote fitness-and-exercise, healthy-cooking, and skin-care as means to improve overall well-being and counteract the potential health risks of consuming non-organic produce from the Dirty Dozen list.
- Climate-change isn't the only environmental concern impacting our health; the EWG's report highlights the importance of reducing pesticide exposure through selective organic shopping, supporting the work of environmental-science organizations.
- Environmental-science research illuminates the toxicity of some pesticides, like fungicides that impair hormone systems, which are found in high levels on certain fruits and vegetables, such as bell & hot peppers and strawberries.
- Adding organic produce to your shopping list can be beneficial for both you and the environment, as it likely contains fewer pesticides, supporting sustainable agricultural practices and environmental-science education.
- From cooking with healthy ingredients to evaluating product-reviews of cosmetics, skin-care, and therapies-and-treatments, making conscious lifestyle choices contributes to long-term health and wellness, in line with nutrition, fitness-and-exercise, and food-and-drink preferences.
