Every year, a list of the “Dirty Dozen,” are announced to the public. This consists of the top (or bottom rather) 12 fruits and vegetables that have the highest amount of pesticides when grown conventionally versus organically. When testing, the Environmental Working Group uses 40,900 samples for 47 different produce.

So if you’re not going to eat 100% organic, at least make these in your organic choices!

The Dirty Dozen!

1. Strawberries

2. Spinach

3. Kale

4. Nectarines

5. Apples

6. Grapes

7. Peaches

8. Cherries

9. Pears

10. Tomatoes

11. Celery

12. Potatoes

The EWG also grants us a list of the 15 fruits and vegetables that test with the lowest amount of pesticide residue.

So if you’re limited in organic selection, these ones can slide by as being safer to consume.

So fresh and so clean clean (for all of you OutKast fans)!

1. Avocados

2. Sweet corn

3. Pineapple

4. Frozen sweet peas

5. Onions

6. Papaya

7. Eggplant

8. Asparagus

9. Kiwi

10. Cabbage

11. Cauliflower

12. Cantaloupe

13. Broccoli

14. Mushrooms

Honeydew melon

Hopefully this knowledge gives you a little more confidence when standing in the store debating on your selection. Depending on my options, I’ve often considered these lists when making my decision at the market. For example, I’d go for a non organic pineapple over non organic strawberries any day! In fact, I’d confess to grabbing a side of cabbage over the popular spinach or kale salad if a restaurant couldn’t confirm organic or not.

Side note for thought: I wonder if we’d make the same food choices if we saw the entire process…