The Environmental Working Group has just released the new Shopper’s Guide to Pesticides.
This is the latest and most up to date version of what fruits and vegetables have the highest residues of pesticides on them and therefore should only be consumed certified organic, as well as which ones are relatively free of pesticides and can be generally safe, bought as conventionally grown.
To me, this is such a valuable resource to have. I still always carry around with me, my last wallet-sized print out from them, even though I had it memorized a long time ago! Thus, I wanted to share this information with you all too, as we know today, based on numerous scientific studies, how harmful pesticides are to our health.
While I am a huge proponent for buying all produce organic (as much as possible at least), for the many proven benefits that they give us, the Environmental Working Group outlines in these shopper’s guides which ones should definitely be bought organic, as they have the highest concentrations of pesticide residues. You can find these in the “dirty dozen” section of the guide.
The Environmental Working Group consists of scientists, researchers, programmers and many more, who pour over government data, legal documents, scientific studies and their own laboratory tests to expose threats to your health, the environment, and to find solutions where needed. Their research brings to light unsettling facts that we all have a right to know, and that is why I greatly support this organization. The EWG works as a not-for-profit agency to protect all of us, especially the most vulnerable like babies, by changing government and other policies and laws. They are also the organization who has brought consumers the valuable and highly practical Skin Deep Cosmetic Data Base, where we can check the toxicity of most of our personal products.
Thus today, I am so thrilled to share with you the latest, their 5th edition of the Shopper’s Guide to Pesticides that they put together based on the latest set of data.
To present this report, the EWG has compiled data on 47 different fruits and vegetables, both domestic and imported.
See the full list of the 47 different produce samples, to see where your favorites rank.
I also recommend to print out the wallet sized version of the guide to have handy with you when you go grocery shopping, or at least until you get familiar and comfortable with which produce should always be bought organic.
The benefits of organic produce are many, as are the risks of pesticides, and both areas will be explained in full details in future articles. We all know that we should be eating many servings of fruits and vegetables each day and with the help of companies and research like this, we can enjoy these items in the safest and fullest way possible.
To learn more about pesticides, this report and the Shopper’s Guide, visit the EWG – Shopper’s Guide to Pesticides.
About the author:Evita Ochel, B.Sc., B.Ed., CHN - is a certified holistic nutritionist, biologist, educator, writer, researcher and speaker in the areas of health, science and holistic wellness. She is a nutritional science expert and her teaching and writing focus on natural, wholesome, plant-based and organic nutrition to achieve optimal health and longevity. Learn more about Evita Ochel or Follow Evita Ochel on Twitter.
5 Comments to “The New Shopper’s Guide To Pesticides Is Here!”
We so need something like this in the UK. I found a few things buried in the Pesticide Action Network but they aren’t exactly findable. Need to make my own wallet card I guess!
Hi Monica,
Yes I agree, I think there should be something like this made on an international scale, because today our produce does come from many countries that usually have much different rules and laws when it comes to how much and which pesticides they use.
Thanks for the link and yes, great idea to make your own.
I would imagine though that similar rules should apply to most of these fruits and veggies though in the US and Europe at least a bit. Most produce that is sweet or spoils fast will need more pesticides regardless where it is.
And it is not a coincidence that onions are last – no insect, or microorganism in their right mind wants to chomp on an onion – that is why they have such potent health qualities for us :)
This is great if you live in the States, and it is something that a lot of Aussies would love. I suppose that puts mi in the same boat as Monica. It may be a long time coming. I know that our farmers have stringent rules they have to abide by, but our Government, because of some stupid world trade agreement, continues to accept food from other countries, some infested with disease of one sort of another, who do not need to follow such rules.
Hi Sire,
Yes indeed I think every country should have one of these, but as I said above too, many fruits and veggies are grown in a similar way in countries like Canada, the US, parts of Europe and Australia, so similar ideas I imagine apply for example if apples are high in pesticide residues according to the US, they will likely be high in residues in other countries too.
I am from Canada and we do not have one of these either, but I still use this one because a) a lot of our produce comes from the US and b) because we do have similar pesticide rules, etc.
[...] has a great post on the New Shopper’s Guide to Pesticides published by the Environmental Working Group. For my UK readers, check out UK Pesticide Info for, [...]