Recently the Environmental Working Group published its 2011 Shopper’s Guide to Pesticides in Produce.

On behalf of Vive Integrative Health Group and environmental medicine experts throughout North America, Thank You!

This guide, in addition to promoting the dietary value of fruits and vegetables, helps us avoid over-exposures to harmful and downright dangerous pesticides.

The “Dirty Dozen” are the fruits and vegetables sprayed most heavily with pesticides and herbicides. When eaten, these chemicals accumulate in the body, disrupt normal physiology and lead to disease. These produce are best purchased organic to avoid the pesticides. You will also appreciate the better flavour of organic produce!

The “Clean Fifteen” are the fruits and vegetables that arrive in your grocery store with a minimum of pesticide residues. Eating these in non-organic form is ok.

Using the Guide helps to shop for organic produce more effectively.

The Dirty Dozen
1. Apples
2. Celery
3. Strawberries
4. Peaches
5. Spinach
6. Nectarines – imported
7. Grapes – imported
8. Sweet Bell Peppers
9. Potatoes
10. Blueberries – domestic
11. Lettuce
12. Kale and Collard Greens

The Clean 15
1. Onions
2. Sweet Corn
3. Pineapples
4. Avocado
5. Asparagus
6. Sweet Peas
7. Mangoes
8. Eggplant
9. Canteloupe
10. Kiwi
11. Cabbage
12. Watermellon
13. Sweet Potatoes
14. Grapefruit
15. Mushrooms

Visit the Environmental Working Group’s Food News site for the complete report.