| Known as the Dirty Dozen, conventionally grown | | | | 43,000 tests conducted by the Department of |
| peaches, apples, sweet bell peppers, celery, | | | | Agriculture and the Food and Drug Administration |
| nectarines, strawberries, cherries, pears, imported | | | | between 2000 and 2004. |
| grapes, spinach, lettuce and potatoes contain the | | | | Kathy's Cafe: Rules for Healthy Eating suggests: |
| highest levels of pesticides, according to the | | | | "Commercially grown fruits and vegetables are filled |
| Environmental Work Group (EWG), a nonprofit | | | | with herbicides, pesticides and fungicides. It is |
| research organization in Washington, D.C. | | | | estimated that the average American consumes one |
| Up to 20 different pesticides are used in the | | | | pound of these toxic chemicals each year. Research |
| traditional production of the Dirty Dozen and contrary | | | | has linked these toxins with breast and prostrate |
| to popular belief, simply washing or peeling your fruits | | | | cancer, as well as auto-immunity and numerous other |
| and vegetables doesn't guarantee elimination. The | | | | diseases. Studies have shown the mineral content of |
| pesticides used are often absorbed into the plants, | | | | organic fruits & vegetables to be twice as high |
| which allows them to bind to the fruits and | | | | as those in commercially grown."' This is compelling |
| vegetables, making it impossible to eliminate their | | | | information and these risks can be easily and |
| presence. | | | | effectively eliminated. |
| The chemicals within these pesticides are reported to | | | | If your family replaced just these 12 fruits and |
| disrupt your immune system, nervous system, | | | | vegetables, on a consistent basis, you would be |
| reproductive system and hormonal system. | | | | dramatically decreasing your toxic intake and |
| While washing and rinsing fresh produce may reduce | | | | significantly increasing your health and well being. |
| some pesticides, it does not eliminate them. Peeling | | | | Produce with the least amount of pesticides - and |
| also helps remove some of the pesticides, but | | | | ones you probably don't need to pay organic prices |
| valuable nutrients often go down the drain with the | | | | for - include onions, avocados, frozen sweet corn, |
| peel. | | | | pineapples, mangoes, asparagus, frozen sweet peas, |
| Because the toxic effects of pesticides are | | | | kiwi, bananas, cabbage, broccoli and papaya, |
| worrisome, not well understood, or in some cases | | | | according to the EWG study. |
| completely unstudied, shoppers are wise to minimize | | | | So whether you choose to go organic, or switch to |
| exposure to pesticides whenever possible. | | | | less contaminated produce, you can start eliminating |
| Consumers who switch to organic versions of these | | | | harmful and unhealthy pesticides for your family |
| foods could cut their pesticide exposure by almost | | | | today for a healthier and happier future. |
| 90 percent, according to EWG. It analyzed nearly | | | | |