2013 Dirty Dozen and Clean 15

2013 Dirty Dozen and Clean 15

About this time every year the Environmental Working Group releases their latest list of foods highest and lowest in pesticide residue. This week I want to share with you their updated lists for 2013. They have again expanded the Dirty Dozen with a Plus category to highlight two crops -- kale and collard greens. 

According to the EWG, these vegetables "did not meet traditional Dirty Dozen criteria but were commonly contaminated with highly toxic organophosphate insecticides. These insecticides are toxic to the nervous system and have been largely removed from agriculture over the past decade. But they are not banned and still show up on some food crops."

Here are EWG's updated lists for 2013:

Dirty Dozen:

1. Apples
2. Celery
3. Cherry Tomatoes
4. Cucmbers
5. Hot Peppers
6. Nectarines
7. Peaches
8. Potatoes
9. Spinach
10. Strawberries
11. Bell Peppers
    Plus:
12. Kale/Collard Green
13. Summer Squash

Clean 15:

1. Asparagus
2. Avocados
3. Cabbage
4. Cantaloupe
5. Corn
6. Eggplant
7. Grapefruit
8. Kiwi
9. Mangoes
10. Mushrooms
11. Onions
12. Papayas
13. Pineapples
14. Sweet Peas - frozen
15. Sweet Potatoes

Related articles from Natural Health News

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2012 Dirty Dozen +

The Environmental Working Group (EWG) has just released the 2012 Dirty Dozen list.  This year there's a + because a couple of items have been added because of pesticide concerns.
EWG's new Shopper's Guide to the Dirty Dozen will help you know which produce items have the most pesticide risk so you can try to choose organic.

FOOD SAFETY: CLEANSING OPTIONS, new 3rd edition

According to EWG -
This year we have expanded the Dirty Dozen with a Plus category to highlight two crops -- green beans and leafy greens, meaning, kale and collard greens - that did not meet traditional Dirty Dozen criteria but were commonly contaminated with highly toxic organophosphate insecticides. These insecticides are toxic to the nervous system and have been largely removed from agriculture over the past decade. But they are not banned and still show up on some food crops.
Commodity crop corn used for animal feed and biofuels is almost all produced with genetically modified (GMO) seeds, as is some sweet corn sold for human consumption. Since GMO sweet corn is not labeled as such in US stores, EWG advises those who have concerns about GMOs to buy organic sweet corn.
The Clean Fifteen is also included.

Find your new Shopper's Guide here

Dirty Dozen Plus™

Buy these organic

1

Apples

2

Celery

3

Sweet bell peppers

4

Peaches

5

Strawberries

6

Nectarines
– imported

7

Grapes

8

Spinach

9

Lettuce

10

Cucumbers

11

Blueberries
– domestic

12

Potatoes

Plus

+

Green beans

+

Kale/Greens

+ May contain pesticide residues of special concern

Clean 15™

Lowest in Pesticide

1

Onions

2

Sweet Corn

3

Pineapples

4

Avocado

5

Cabbage

6

Sweet peas

7

Asparagus

8

Mangoes

9

Eggplant

10

Kiwi

11

Cantaloupe
- domestic

12

Sweet potatoes

13

Grapefruit

14

Watermelon

15

Mushrooms

Selections from Natural Health News

Natural Health News: The New Dirty Dozen and Clean 15 - 2011

Jun 13, 2011

EWG research has found that people who eat five fruits and vegetables a day from the Dirty Dozen list consume an average of 10 pesticides a day. Those who eat from the 15 least contaminated conventionally-grown fruits .

Natural Health News: EWG publishes new food list

Apr 28, 2010

EWG research has found that people who eat five fruits and vegetables a day from the Dirty Dozen list consume an average of 10 pesticides a day. Those who eat from the 15 least contaminated conventionally-grown fruits ...

http://naturalhealthnews.blogspot.com/

Natural Health News: Industry Friendly Pros and Cons

Aug 03, 2010

From my perspective, what's most newsworthy about the news from CR is the immateriality of the supplements in question, a so-called “dirty dozen.” Colloidal silver? Kava? Coltsfoot? These are not mainstream supplement ...

http://naturalhealthnews.blogspot.com/

Natural Health News: Green Living: Clean Food

Feb 21, 2009

The worst offenders, which were nicknamed the "dirty dozen," include: # Apples # Bell peppers # Celery # Cherries # Grapes (imported, especially grapes from South American countries) # Lettuce # Nectarines # Peaches ...

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Nov 07, 2010

Onions, Avocado, Sweet Corn, Pineapple, Mango, Sweet Peas, Asparagus, Kiwi, Cabbage, Eggplant, Cantaloupe, Watermelon, Grapefruit, Sweet Potato, Honeydew Melon DIRTY DOZEN (BUY ORGANIC) Celery, Peaches, ...

GMO Salmon Coming to a Table Near You

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UPDATE: 19 September -
http://www.usatoday.com/video/index.htm?bctid=613913464001#/News/Fish+or+frankenfish%3F+FDA+weighs+altered+salmon/42804638001/40264770001/613913464001


New Scientist: Transgenic fish swimming towards a plate near you

FDA advisors to vote (20 Sept)on genetically engineered salmon

It grows faster, eats less and has sparked intense debate about modifying animals for our food supply.

By Andrew Zajac, Tribune Washington Bureau - September 18, 2010

In a step that may move genetically engineered meat and fish closer to the American dinner table, an FDA advisory committee will vote Monday on whether to approve preliminary findings that a modified salmon is as safe as an ordinary salmon.


The vote is not binding on the FDA, but approval would lend powerful support for a final decision by the agency charged with protecting the nation's food and drug supplies. The fish, a North Atlantic salmon developed by AquaBounty Technologies Inc. would be the country's first genetically engineered food animal.


It grows to market size in half the time of other salmon and consumes 25 percent less feed in the process, according to the company, which is based in Waltham, Mass.

Complete article

Another look at fish


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UPDATE: 1 September
September is Salmon Month
Smart Seafood Guide
Gulf Seafood Concerns

Lummi Nation

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26 June, 2010: As a new type of farmed salmon is contemplated, this article raises a series of consumer concerns that may not be adequately addressed by the FDA and other agencies.


One overlooked issue in this article is the exclusion of known facts about health effects of farmed salmon, especially the elevation of cholesterol and risk of heavy metal and PCP exposure.


Farmed Salmon Information

The Food and Drug Administration is seriously considering whether to approve the first genetically engineered animal that people would eat — salmon that can grow at twice the normal rate.
Read complete article

Why Files


EWG information on carcinogenic PCBs in salmon

EWG publishes new food list

Just out from the Environmental Working Group

"FOOD SAFETY: CLEANSING OPTIONS”

CLEAN 15
Onions, Avocado, Sweet Corn, Pineapple, Mango, Sweet Peas, Asparagus, Kiwi, Cabbage, Eggplant, Cantaloupe, Watermelon, Grapefruit, Sweet Potato, Honeydew Melon

DIRTY DOZEN (BUY ORGANIC)
Celery, Peaches, Strawberries, Apples, Blueberries, Nectarines, Bell Peppers, Spinach, Kale, Cherries, Potatoes, Grapes (Imported)

Why Should You Care About Pesticides?
The growing consensus among scientists is that small doses of pesticides and other chemicals can cause lasting damage to human health, especially during fetal development and early childhood.
Scientists now know enough about the long-term consequences of ingesting these powerful chemicals to advise that we minimize our consumption of pesticides.

What’s the Difference?
EWG research has found that people who eat five fruits and vegetables a day from the Dirty Dozen list consume an average of 10 pesticides a day. Those who eat from the 15 least contaminated conventionally-grown fruits and vegetables ingest fewer than 2 pesticides daily. The Guide helps consumers make informed choices to lower their dietary pesticide load.

Will Washing and Peeling Help?
The data used to create these lists is based on produce tested as it is typically eaten (meaning washed, rinsed or peeled, depending on the type of produce). Rinsing reduces but does not eliminate pesticides. Peeling helps, but valuable nutrients often go down the drain with the skin. The best approach: eat a varied diet, rinse all produce and buy organic when possible.

How Was This Guide Developed?
EWG analysts have developed the Guide based on data from nearly 96,000 tests for pesticide residues in produce conducted between 2000 and 2008 and collected by the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. You can find a detailed description of the criteria EWG used to develop these rankings and
the complete list of fruits and vegetables tested at our dedicated website.

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