| It is time to rethink organic. For example, a | | | | the "Clean 15," contain little or no pesticides. |
| non-organic celery stick could contain 67 pesticides, | | | | The Clean 15 |
| according to a new report from the nonprofit | | | | Onions |
| Environmental Working Group, reports CNN. | | | | Avocados |
| Concerned with public health, the group scrutinized | | | | Sweet corn |
| 100,000 produce pesticide reports from the U.S. | | | | Pineapples |
| Department of Agriculture and the U.S. Food and | | | | Mango |
| Drug Administration to ascertain which fruits and | | | | Sweet peas |
| vegetables have the highest and lowest amounts of | | | | Asparagus |
| chemical residue. | | | | Kiwi fruit |
| Called the "Dirty Dozen," these fruits and vegetables | | | | Cabbage |
| contain 47 to 67 pesticides per serving, probably | | | | Eggplant |
| because they have soft skins that absorb more | | | | Cantaloupe |
| pesticides. The group suggests purchasing organic | | | | Watermelon |
| instead. | | | | Grapefruit |
| "It's critical people know what they are consuming," | | | | Sweet potatoes |
| the Environmental Working Group's Amy Rosenthal | | | | Sweet onions |
| said. "The list is based on pesticide tests conducted | | | | The Environmental Working Group acknowledges |
| after the produce was washed with USDA | | | | that data from long-term studies aren't available but |
| high-power pressure water system. The numbers | | | | warns consumers of possible dangers. Also, some |
| reflect the closest thing to what consumers are | | | | doctors say that children's developing brains are the |
| buying at the store. You can reduce your exposure | | | | most vulnerable to food pesticides. |
| to pesticides by up to 80 percent by buying the | | | | "Pesticides are designed to kill things. Why wait for |
| organic version of the Dirty Dozen," said Rosenthal. | | | | 20 years to discover they are bad for us?" Rosenthal |
| The Dirty Dozen | | | | said. |
| Celery | | | | Dr. Philip Landrigan, chairman of the department of |
| Peaches | | | | preventive medicine at Mount Sinai School of Medicine |
| Strawberries | | | | in New York, said "A kid's brain goes through |
| Apples | | | | extraordinary development, and if pesticides get into |
| Domestic blueberries | | | | the brain, it can cause damage," quoted CNN. |
| Nectarines | | | | All fresh produce should be washed with water to |
| Sweet bell peppers | | | | remove dirt and potentially harmful bacteria. Health |
| Spinach, kale and collard greens | | | | experts concur that when considering the Dirty |
| Cherries | | | | Dozen list, choose organic if available. |
| Potatoes | | | | "To the extent you can afford to do so, [parents] |
| Imported grapes | | | | should simply buy organic, because there have been |
| Lettuce | | | | some very good studies that shows people who eat |
| Some produce have outer layers that are a defense | | | | mostly organic food reduce 95 percent of pesticides |
| against pesticide contamination.The group says the | | | | [in their body] in two weeks," Landrigan said, quoted |
| following non-organic fruits and vegetables, dubbed | | | | CNN. |