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Last week, Jenn over at one of my favorite blogs to read, Peas and Crayons, posted about the Environmental Working Group’s (EWG) updated Dirty Dozen and Clean 15 lists. It was news to me and I thought my readers might appreciate me passing the information along. (You can read Jenn’s post here.)
Last September, I posted about organic food and why I choose organic when I can. I posted the lists of foods most and least contaminated with pesticides, but now those lists are outdated. You can go back and check out my old post if you want to read about my reasons for choosing organics as much as I can and the dangers of pesticides.
Today, I just want to pass on the updated lists so you can be an informed shopper. I have the two lists printed out and on my refrigerator so I am always reminded of which foods are “must buys” when it comes to organics. 100% of my produce and food choices are not organic at this point, but when it comes to the foods on the Dirty Dozen list, I stay away from conventionally grown.
According to the EWG, if you choose five fruits or vegetables from the Clean 15 list rather than the Dirty Dozen, you can lower the amount of pesticides you consume by 92%. I would imagine that eating organic rather than conventionally grown foods from the Dirty Dozen list would have similar or better results.
When you look at these lists, keep in mind the the results were compiled after the foods were cleaned, so you can’t simply wash off conventionally grown produce and think the pesticide residues will be gone. They’re still there!
I hope you find these lists as helpful as I do. For more detailed information on how they are compiled, check out the EWG’s website.
Question: What is your stance on organic food? Do you use the Dirty Dozen and Clean 15 list as a guide as you shop?
I always try to buy organic produce for my family. It’s yummier and healthier. I use Farmbox Direct (https://www.farmboxdirect.com/) for organic food shopping!
I just found your blog from a comment you left on KERF’s blog and I love it! I am a mother to twin 4 year old girls and am always looking for fun recipes that are healthy for my family! I look forward to reading! Congrats on your new pregnancy!
Thank you, Jumanah! I’m glad you stopped by. 🙂
I am an organic girl!!! I will buy non organic avocados, mangos, and sometimes bananas, pineapples…..but everything else is organic!!!
This was totally new to me when I read her post, too! Thanks for sharing 🙂
I definitely use the list as a guide and buy as many products organic that I can, but there are times when I buy conventional produce, as the organic is sold out/not available/totally overpriced (e.g. berries). Currently I am in the lucky position that the sell organic produce at a stall in my street, which comes in handy 🙂 Also, you can order things there.
Thanks for the letting uns know the update!
I try to follow the dirty dozen list all the time. It actually saves me money when I am in a grocery store that doesn’t have alot of organic produce, so I don’t buy the strawberries and grapes that are expensive, but not organic 🙂
Wow! Loved this post! I am definitely writing these down….didn’t realize the lists had changed! I buy organic meats for my 2-year-old twins, and sometimes for hubby and I. I buy fruits/veggies off of the Dirty Dozen list when available – again, mostly for the little ones. They don’t need pesticides harming their growing bodies. And they eat mostly fruits and veggies.
Yesterday I added the list to my cell phone. So when I’m in a grocery store I can look back. I have 2 kids. Not only is eating organic important for me it’s very important to the little growing bodies… We can’t afford to eat totally organic but we definitely stick to the dirty dozen!
Great idea to have the list on your cell phone!
I love reading about this stuff. In Jonny Bowden’s book, The 150 Healthiest Foods on Earth he includes these lists and it’s so helpful!
Thanks for the updated list! I keep a copy of the list in my coupon organizer right next to my store list and try to refer to it when I’m shopping.
I’m so glad this is going around on a bunch of different blogs. Everyone needs to know! I do follow the dirty dozen and clean 15 when I’m shopping but cost also factors into it. Sometimes I’ll even forgo buying something because I can’t afford to buy the organic option, which is really disappointing sometimes. I’m not super strict about it because it’s extremely hard shopping for a large variety of fruits and veggies that we would normally eat in a week in a small town grocery store, but we do the best we can and avoid the major ones. I do think it’s important especially for little ones to avoid the chemicals they put on food. Living in an agricultural town and living on an orchard at one point I’ve seen the amount of sprays and things they put on food and it really is sickening to see farmers completely covered in chemical suits with special masks so that they can breathe so that they can put these things on the food we eat and feed to our children. No thank you.
I know what you mean about price. It’s sad, but there are certain items I have to bypass when they’re just too expensive. Red bell peppers is an example of an organic item that can be really pricey, especially when they are not in season. And farmers covered in chemical suits w/ special masks? That is such a terrible visual!
I didn’t know about the change before I read that post either! Really helpful information. I think grocery stores should have the lists posted by the produce, I would love them for that. I try to buy organic when I can but it can be so expensive and when given the choice between non-organic produce or no produce at all, I’d rather just go ahead and get the non-organic. Maybe one day it won’t be so costly!
Yes, grocery stores should totally do that! So many people are just not aware that pesticides are even an issue.
I absolutely chooose organic for all of those items on the dirty dozen list. Thankfully, Trader Joe’s offers organic choices on most of those items, as does our local grocery store. But there are times when I can’t find organic blueberries, and they are such a staple in our life!! So I’ll either go without or buy organic frozen. Organic peaches are often hard to find, but TJ’s had them in this week which was nice. I never used to worry about it until I saw Food, Inc a year and a half ago. Now, I literally feel sick to my stomach if Carter eats fruit that isn’t organic. I try to be a bit relaxed with it though (i.e. parties, cookouts) because unfortunately, not everyone shares the same viewpoints on buying organic produce. But I control it where I can – in my house! 🙂
I can never find organic peaches–I’ll have to head to TJ’s! Organic grapes is another one I have trouble finding.
yup.. I choose organic when it comes to the dirty 15, meat and dairy. Everywhere else I will cut corners and save money. Kids need healthy food coz their bodies are growing. Infact if possible I try to grow some of the dirty 15 at home to cut the cost of buying organic food. If i don’t then I do have a few tips on how to deal with that.
http://yumkid.com/what-produce-to-buy-organic-in-2011
Oh, I must have missed your post! Thanks for the link. Now that I think of it, I don’t know if your feed is showing up in my reader anymore. I will have to check it out and see where it went.