This year, collard and mustard greens were added alongside kale. These greens were found to have up to 20 different pesticides in a single sample. One of the pesticides, a possible carcinogen, discovered on kale was outlawed in the EU over 11 years ago.
And again, the EU has banned these chemicals while the US has banned them on some crops, but not all. Go figure. The same goes for apples, spinach, cherries, leafy greens, and nectarines. That all makes me sad but armed with the Dirty Dozen list, you can be educated on what produce to always buy organic.
If you see one of your go-to fruits or vegetables on the Dirty Dozen list, you may want to consider saving up to purchase organic. Kale and collard and mustard greens were found to have as many as 20 different pesticides.
Avocados and sweet corn were the cleanest. More than 70 percent of fruit and vegetable samples on the Clean Fifteen list had no pesticide residues. Peeling fruits and vegetables or removing outer layers of leafy greens is also a great way to cut back on pesticide intake. That said, certain fruits and veggies might be more important to buy organic than others.
Purchase these fruits and veggies organic whenever possible to avoid the potentially harmful effects of pesticides:. Dairy and Eggs: Organic dairy and meat animals are afforded the same creature comforts, and the same regulations apply to their diet and medical treatment.
Milk: As with beef cattle, hormones — used to increase milk production — are a hotly-debated issue with dairy cows , too. Organic milk may also be healthier thanks to a higher concentration of beneficial fatty acids. However, one study suggests organic milk could be lower in iodine, a necessary nutrient.
Further confusing matters, a separate study found that organic and conventional milk were almost identical in protein and bacteria count, making the still-controversial hormone debate the deciding factor between the two. Eggs: While some say organic eggs are no higher in quality than conventional eggs , opponents argue that organic eggs are still worth the splurge because they can be more nutritious and free of dangerous chemicals and antibiotics.
One study found that, when given access to a grazing pasture, chickens produced eggs with more omega-3 fatty acids, vitamin A, and vitamin E.
On the other hand, a study based in Taiwan found that chickens permitted access to the outdoors actually produced eggs with significantly higher concentrations of pollutants. As with other dairy and meat items, antibiotics fed to chickens could crop up in the end product under USDA-established tolerable levels, of course , so skip conventional eggs if this is a personal concern. These foods were found to have the highest levels of pesticide residues by PAN UK in tests between and , and as a result, are the ones you should always try to buy organic where possible - and some of them may surprise you.
Fruit and vegetables are not the only products to contain what is known as 'pesticide cocktails'. PAN UK explained pesticides appear in millions of different combinations in varying concentrations, and there is growing concern about the potential impact of the cocktail effect on human health and the environment.
These starchy foods and grains were also found to have multiple pesticide residues. PAN UK revealed you don't need to buy all organic produce. These items were found to have the least amount of pesticide residues and therefore are generally okay to buy non-organic. Pumpkin and squash.
While many people think that altering the DNA of a plant or animal can increase the risk of cancer, the research has so far proven inconclusive. As mentioned above, one of the primary benefits of eating organic is lower levels of pesticides. However, despite popular belief, organic farms do use pesticides. The difference is that they only use naturally-derived pesticides, rather than the synthetic pesticides used on conventional commercial farms. Natural pesticides are believed to be less toxic, however, some have been found to have health risks.
That said, your exposure to harmful pesticides will likely be lower when eating organic. Most of us have an accumulated build-up of pesticide exposure in our bodies due to numerous years of exposure. Some studies have indicated that the use of pesticides even at low doses can increase the risk of certain cancers , such as leukemia, lymphoma, brain tumors, breast cancer and prostate cancer. Children and fetuses are most vulnerable to pesticide exposure because their immune systems, bodies, and brains are still developing.
Exposure at an early age may cause developmental delays, behavioral disorders, autism, immune system harm, and motor dysfunction. Pregnant women are more vulnerable due to the added stress pesticides put on their already taxed organs. Plus, pesticides can be passed from mother to child in the womb, as well as through breast milk.
Rinsing fresh produce reduces but does not eliminate pesticides. Peeling sometimes helps, but valuable nutrients often go down the drain with the skin.
The best approach: eat a varied diet, wash and scrub all produce thoroughly, and buy organic when possible.
Organic food is often more expensive than conventionally-grown food. But if you set some priorities, it may be possible to purchase organic food and stay within your food budget. Some types of conventionally-grown produce are much higher in pesticides than others, and should be avoided when possible.
Others are low enough that buying non-organic is relatively safe. According to the Environmental Working Group, a nonprofit organization that analyzes the results of government pesticide testing in the U. In the U. These practices can have health consequences for both the animals themselves and people consuming their meat, eggs, or milk. You may find that buying cheaper cuts of meat from organically raised animals enables you to eat organic without breaking your food budget.
Try buying organic chicken thighs instead of conventionally raised chicken breasts, for example. Join a food co-op. A natural foods co-op, or cooperative grocery store typically offers lower prices to members, who pay an annual fee to belong.
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