2012 Dirty Dozen and Clean 15

Each year, the Environmental Working Group (EWG) releases its list of the Dirty Dozen and Clean 15 fruits and vegetables.  Throughout the year, I keep this list handy to prioritize which produce I buy organic (like apples, spinach and celery) and those that I buy conventional (corn, avocado, eggplant and asparagus).

The list represents research the EWG does each year to see what produce is clean (very few pesticides and chemicals) and which produce should be purchased organically, if possible.

If nothing else, it is an interesting list that you can find on EWG's website.  Here's the quick rundown:


Dirty Dozen:

Apples
Celery
Sweet Bell Peppers
Peaches
Strawberries
Nectarines--Imported
Grapes
Spinach
Lettuce
Cucumbers
Blueberries--Domestic
Potatoes
Green Beans (extra)
Kale and Greens (extra)

Clean 15:

Onions
Sweet Corn
Pineapple
Avocado
Cabbage
Sweet Peas (yay!)
Asparagus
Mango
Eggplant
Kiwi
Cantaloupe--Domestic
Sweet Potatoes
Grapefruit
Mushrooms

Remember, if you can't find organic produce or if want to make sure your produce is clean, check out my  Homemade Fruit and Vegetable Produce Wash!

Life is sweet,
SPC