The 2019 New Dirty Dozen
By L. Jenkinson
@MarymargII (12422)
Toronto, Ontario
May 22, 2019 9:49pm CST
At a health store this week they had a sign that mentioned the new dirty dozen. No not the movie with Steve McQueen but vegetables and fruits you buy in North America that are full of pesticides.
These are the ones that the Environmental Working Group (EWG) have determined we should really buy in their organic form- if possible- because the 'Dirty Dozen are heavily sprayed to keep bugs, etc. away. Here's the list:
1) Strawberries
2) Spinach
3) Kale
4) Nectarines
5) Apples
6) Grapes
7) Peaches
8) Cherries
9) Pears
10) Tomatoes
11) Celery
12) Potatoes
This is the fourth year that Strawberries were # 1 on the list and this I did know. Apparently this list is in order and has the most offensive and heavily-sprayed at the top- down to the least.
But have no fear they also have fruits and veggies that are NOT on this "Dirty Dozen" list and are relatively free of pesticides and so not buying organic in their case is fine.
Plus I think they agree that eating from the Dirty list is still a heck of a lot better than not eating them at all. And you may prefer at little pesticide on your favourite fruits and veggies-- lol!
The clean list is as follows: Avocados, Sweet Corn, Pineapples, Frozen peas, Onions, Papayas, Eggplants, Asparagus, Kiwis, Cabbages, Cauliflower, Cantaloupes, Broccoli, Mushrooms and Watermelon. Now there are a few I noticed that are not mentioned on either list so they must be on the 'Nobody Really Cares About Them" List haha! Enjoy!
So as for me I will continue to buy the fruits and veggies I love but will also keep these lists in mind.
10 people like this
10 responses
@LadyDuck (458121)
• Switzerland
26 May 19
@MarymargII The strawberries are ripe right now in my garden. In Europe we use less pesticides than in the United States and some chemicals are banned here. I am safe if I buy local products.
1 person likes this
@MarymargII (12422)
• Toronto, Ontario
31 May 19
@LadyDuck Good for you- and also be careful of the genetically modified produce that now are everywhere.
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@MarymargII (12422)
• Toronto, Ontario
26 May 19
Yes Europes would be different but as you show me----not too different. I am careful to buy Strawberries organic and also spinach and lettuces the most.
1 person likes this
@much2say (53958)
• Los Angeles, California
23 May 19
I buy organic when I can, but not always. I still need to experiment on the ways to supposedly wash off pesticides - but I know by that time it has probably reeked into the produce - even if it has a peel. I will always buy what I need in the way of fruits and vegetables, but I do have to keep price in mind . . . but yes, I'd definitely have this "Dirty Dozen" list in mind 
!
!1 person likes this
@much2say (53958)
• Los Angeles, California
24 May 19
@MarymargII It's a hard call sometimes . . . you want to do the best thing for your health, but you also do not want to break the bank. I had to really think about which strawberries to buy earlier . . . your list came to mind!
1 person likes this
@MarymargII (12422)
• Toronto, Ontario
24 May 19
You sound like the me and the way I shop- mostly organic but not 100% but with that in mind I was happy to see the 'clean' list where often you don't need to buy organic.
1 person likes this
@MarymargII (12422)
• Toronto, Ontario
25 May 19
@much2say Yes strawberries and the first say 6 on the list I will try to only buy or mostly buy organic. They get less "dirty' as the list goes on. And the clean list I won't buy organic unless it's convenient.
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@marguicha (215441)
• Chile
23 May 19
It is a pity that these new dirty dozen are a list of dirty things to keep away from eating instead of a good remake of one of the best movies I have seen.
1 person likes this
@MarymargII (12422)
• Toronto, Ontario
24 May 19
haha! Yes you'd think they would try to remake that movie. But great to know what produce has a lot of pesticides too.
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@marguicha (215441)
• Chile
24 May 19
@MarymargII They could not do it. It is still perfect after all these decades. I eat all the fruit peeled.
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@MarymargII (12422)
• Toronto, Ontario
26 May 19
@marguicha No 'm amazed they haven't.
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@BelleStarr (61047)
• United States
11 Jul 19
I will have to look into getting more organic fruit and vegetables I probably light up like a Christmas tree with poison, luckily Al doesn't eat fruit so he is safe lol
1 person likes this
@BelleStarr (61047)
• United States
13 Jul 19
@MarymargII Now that I have the Misfits Market coming I am eating more organic.
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@MarymargII (12422)
• Toronto, Ontario
14 Jul 19
@BelleStarr What an unusual name- but good about the organics. Hope they're produce isn't too odd---lol!
1 person likes this
@MarymargII (12422)
• Toronto, Ontario
12 Jul 19
Haha! Just don't light a match too close by you. Their price is actually coming down which is great.
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@DianneN (246838)
• United States
31 May 19
@MarymargII That’s so true. Too much tampering with many things.
@MarymargII (12422)
• Toronto, Ontario
31 May 19
Yes I do try to get the ones that listed as bad, at least organically. It's a shame when you think most all foods were healthy and not tampered with in the past.
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@MarymargII (12422)
• Toronto, Ontario
5 Jun 19
Not sure if they grow them the same there as here. But I do love strawberries for sure. Blueberries and raspberries are another fave.
1 person likes this
@MarymargII (12422)
• Toronto, Ontario
31 May 19
Yes that's a great idea- who knows what all is on them haha!
@Marilynda1225 (79731)
• United States
24 May 19
I pretty much love all the foods on the dirty list. Guess I never really paid much attention to the pesticide thing and should
1 person likes this
@MarymargII (12422)
• Toronto, Ontario
25 May 19
Well I honestly believe that organic is coming down in price. But if you can better to buy the first say six organic if u can. The list gets less 'dirty' as it goes down. haha!
@MarymargII (12422)
• Toronto, Ontario
31 May 19
It is but it gets better as the list goes down. Typically those are over-sprayed.
1 person likes this
@andriaperry (116860)
• Anniston, Alabama
23 May 19
And this is the reason I grow many of my vegetables or fruits.
