Many years ago growing up in a farm community, the sound of aerial crop dusting was not unusual, but in the 60’s and 70’s I hate to think about what chemicals were being dropped, or how much pesticide residue is still in my body. Years later, with increased awareness these are better regulated and we have have the advent of organic produce. But with the price comes the question, does everything we eat necessarily need to be organic?

Many people can’t afford to buy all organic all the time. But you don’t have to buy all organic produce to reduce your risk from contamination of food. This list from the Environmental Working Group (US) tells you the best foods to buy organic, i.e least contaminated, and which vegetables contain the most chemicals. Use this list  when shopping to help make the best choices for you and your family – even if you can’t buy entirely organic foods.

12 Most Contaminated Fruits / Vegetables

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 / collard greens

15 Least Contaminated Fruits / Vegetables (best foods to buy organic)

1.  Onions
2.  Corn
3.  Pineapples
4.  Avocado
5.  Asparagus
6.  Sweet peas
7.  Mangoes
8.  Eggplant
9.  Cantaloupe (Domestic)
10.  Kiwi
11.  Cabbage
12.  Watermelon
13.  Sweet potatoes
14.  Grapefruit
15.  Mushrooms

EWG’s Shopper’s Guide to Pesticides in Produce. Environmental Working Group.

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