Whether you are on a budget and need to prioritize your organic purchases, or you would simply like to know which type of produce has the highest pesticide residues—and which do not—the following guide from the Environmental Working Group will help. If you cannot afford to buy the following items on the Clean 15 list as fresh produce, can even buy them as frozen organic produce. Or, grow your own fruit and vegetable garden!
12 Most Contaminated – avoid buying these organic products
- Strawberries
- Spinach
- Nectarines
- Apples
- Peaches
- Pears
- Cherries
- Grapes
- Celery
- Tomatoes
- Sweet bell peppers
- Potatoes
12 Least Contaminated – prioritize buying these organic products
- Sweet Corn
- Avocados
- Pineapples
- Cabbage
- Onions
- Sweet peas (frozen)
- Papayas
- Asparagus
- Mangos
- Eggplant
- Honeydew Melon
- Kiwi
Source: Environmental Working Group, www.ewg.org and Food News, www.foodnews.org