This list (called The Dirty Dozen) is complied by the Environmental Working Group every year to show a list of the foods that you should always buy organic to limit pesticide exposure. Some of these pesticides have been shown to be toxic to the nervous system. It’s important for everyone to take care of their bodies, but especially pregnant women- which are housing developing nervous systems and organs and children, who are growing and developing as well.
Besides pesticides, a lot of people are concerned about GMOs. Here’s what the Environmental Working Group concluded about GMOs and the list.
Genetically modified plants, or GMOs, are not often found in the produce section of grocery stores. Field corn, nearly all of which is produced with genetically modified seeds, is used to make tortillas, chips, corn syrup, animal feed and biofuels. Because it is not sold as a fresh vegetable, it is not included in EWG’s Shopper’s Guide to Pesticides in Produce. Nor is soy, another heavily GMO crop that makes its way into processed food.
The genetically modified crops likely to be found in produce aisles of American supermarkets are zucchini, Hawaiian papaya and some varieties of sweet corn. Most Hawaiian papaya is a GMO. Only a small fraction of zucchini and sweet corn are GMO. Since U.S. law does not require labeling of GMO produce, EWG advises people who want to avoid it to purchase the organically-grown versions of these items.
So what made the Dirty Dozen+ list for 2013?
- Apples
- Celery
- Cherry Tomatoes
- Cucumbers
- Grapes
- Hot Peppers
- Imported Nectarines
- Peaches
- Potatoes
- Spinach
- Strawberries
- Sweet Bell Peppers
- Kale/Collard Greens (honorable mention)
- Summer Squash (honorable mention)
So what can you buy? Here’s the Clean 15:
- Asparagus
- Avocados
- Cabbage
- Cantaloupe
- Sweet Corn
- Eggplant
- Grapefruit
- Kiwi
- Mangos
- Mushrooms
- Onions
- Papayas
- Pineapples
- Sweet Peas (Frozen)
- Sweet Potatoes
Want to watch a video to learn more?