Have you heard of the “Dirty Dozen”?

It is a list of 12 foods that contain the highest amount of pesticide traces updated annually by the Environmental Working Group [1]. The list for 2020 includes:

1. Strawberry
2. Spinach
3. Kale
4. Nectarines
5. Apples
6. Grapes
7. Peaches
8. Cherries
9. Pears
10. Tomatoes
11. Celery
12. Potatoes

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On the other hand, there is also a “Clean Fifteen” food list, the foods that contain the least amount of pesticide traces. The “Clean Fifteen” list for 2020 is:

1. Avocados
2. Sweet Corn
3. Pineapple
4. Onions
5. Papaya
6. Sweet Peas Frozen
7. Eggplant
8. Asparagus
9. Cauliflower
10. Cantaloupe
11. Broccoli
12. Mushrooms
13. Cabbage
14. Honeydew Melon
15. Kiwi

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Variety Is the Key

Do take note that the purpose of this is to increase food safety awareness, not to exclude the foods on the “Dirty” list. Many of those on the “Dirty” list have skins that can be peeled to remove the pesticides. Taking a variety of foods is recommended not only to avoid nutrient deficiency, but also to avoid food poisoning or toxin accumulation.

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REFERENCE

[1] https://www.ewg.org/