Another year, another update to the EWG's important food safety list.

It is that time of year again, the Environmental Working Group has come out with their new list of the Dirty Dozen, and Clean Fifteen Foods. The Dirty Dozen are going to be the foods that we should buy organic as they contain the highest levels of pesticides. Alternatively, the Clean Fifteen are the foods that you don’t have to buy organic as they are lower in pesticides. However, when it comes to food it is important to buy organic as often as you can to help send a message to the food industry.

Listed below are the respective lists from the EWG (and don’t forget to visit their informative site from time to time):

Dirty Dozen:

  • Apples
  • Peaches
  • Nectarines
  • Strawberries
  • Grapes
  • Celery
  • Spinach
  • Sweet bell peppers
  • Cucumbers
  • Cherry tomatoes
  • Snap peas - imported
  • Potatoes
  • Plus... Hot peppers, and Kale/Collard greens

Clean Fifteen:

  • Avocados
  • Sweet corn
  • Pineapple
  • Cabbage
  • Sweet peas frozen
  • Onions
  • Asparagus
  • Mangos
  • Papayas
  • Kiwi
  • Eggplant
  • Grapefruit
  • Cantaloupe
  • Cauliflower
  • Sweet potatoes

Source: EWG