When it comes to produce, there’s a dilemma that every grocery shopper faces: organic or conventional? The Environmental Working Group (EWG), a nonprofit organization dedicated to protecting human health and the environment, crafts the annual “Dirty Dozen” list to show consumers the fruits and veggies they should buy organic when possible. Scroll through to see their 2019 list.
For four years running, strawberries have topped the EWG's Dirty Dozen list. According to USDA data collected from 2015 to 2016, conventionally-grown strawberries contained far more pesticide residues than other fresh produce, even after rinsing. In fact, one test in particular uncovered 23 different pesticides present on strawberry samples. The EWG assert that while some of the chemicals used on strawberries are harmless, others have been linked to cancer and neurological issues.
Conventional spinach is the worst offender of all leafy greens. In fact, USDA data shows that conventional spinach contains more pesticide residues by weight than any other produce tested. Samples have been shown to contain a pesticide residue called neurotoxins, which may attack nerve tissue, causing long-term health problems. The frozen variety isn’t much better, so stick with organic spinach whenever possible.
New to the Dirty Dozen list this year is everyone's favorite leafy green—kale. The EWG notes that kale's popularity has soared in recent years, but conventional growing methods have been associated with a slew of pesticides. After analyzing USDA data from 2017, the EWG found that nearly 60% of conventional kale samples contained a potentially carcinogenic pesticide called Dacthal. According to the EWG, this pesticide has been banned in the European Union since 2017, but it is still used on crops like kale, broccoli, sweet potatoes, eggplants, and turnips in the U.S. Given its nutrient-dense profile, you shouldn't shy away from eating kale, so stick to organic varieties when possible.
Rinsing is said to have little effect on removing apples’ long list of pesticide residues, according to the EWG. Conventionally-grown apples are typically treated with a chemical called diphenylamine, which helps to preserve the color of the skins during storage. Peeling the skin may help remove this chemical, but this is also where much of the apple’s nutritional benefits lie. Stick to organic—and consider organic varieties of apple juice and applesauce, too.