We have written here about the “Dirty Dozen,” a list of produce that has the highest levels of pesticides and contamination. It is recommended that these foods be organic wherever possible.
There is another list called the “Clean 15”, which have the lowest pesticide load, and can be enjoyed in the conventional varieties.
These are:
Onions
Sweet corn
Pineapples
Avocado
Sweet peas
Mangoes
Eggplant
Cantaloupe
Kiwi
Watermelon
Sweet potatoes
Grapefruit
Mushrooms
Asparagus
Other foods, such as broccoli, cabbage and tomatoes have more recently tested cleaner as well, due to less pest threats, and therefore less spraying.
Many of these fruits and vegetables have a protective outer layer that gets peeled or removed before eating. This helps eliminate the toxins, which are largely on the outside of the food.
The current list of the most harmful foods tested positive for at least 47 different chemicals, and as many as 67. Buying organic insures that the fruit and vegetables are not treated with harmful pesticides.
Foods that should be organic:
Celery
Strawberries
Peaches
Apples
Blueberries
Nectarines
Sweet bell peppers
Spinach, kale and collard greens
Cherries
Potatoes
Grapes
Lettuce
This lists were compiled by the Environmental Working Group, which is an organization made up of scientists, researchers and policymakers. The data used was supplied by the United States Department of Agriculture’s tests for pesticide residue on fresh produce.
photos: Glasshouse Images
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Indigo jones 
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