By April D. Beresford, FNP-C, DipACLM
We live in a much different world than our parents and grandparents did.
With regular headlines about pesticide use, and foodborne pathogen outbreaks, it can be a scary time to know what foods are safe and where to get them. We are offering some clarity by introducing the Clean Fifteen and the Dirty Dozen!
It is advisable to ALWAYS wash your hands before handling food. Then wash all produce before consuming them. The Environmental Working Group (EWG) developed a 2025 list to guide consumers about buying more expensive foods grown organically (grown without pesticides or insecticides). And they provide another list wherein we can just use extra caution when selecting and preparing foods frequently contaminated with these chemicals.
Clean Fifteen (fruits and vegetables with the least amount of pesticide residue):
1. Avocados
2. Sweet Corn
3. Pineapples
4. Onions
5. Papayas
6. Asparagus
7. Eggplants
8. Kiwis
9. Cabbage
10. Cauliflower
11. Broccoli
12. Mushrooms
13. Honeydew Melons
14. Cantaloupes
15. Sweet peas
Dirty Dozen (fruits and vegetables with generally the highest pesticide residue):
1. Strawberries
2. Spinach
3. Kale
4. Nectarines
5. Apples
6. Grapes
7. Cherries
8. Peaches
9. Pears
10. Bell Peppers
11. Celery
12. Tomatoes
Buying local produce from a local crop-share organization or farmers markets, where you can ask questions and learn more about individual farming practices is also a way to take control of what you are potentially exposing yourself to.
Want to learn more? Go to https://www.ewg.org/foodnews/full-list.php
