The “dirty dozen” is a term derived by the Environmental Working Group (EWG) and it refers to a group of fruits and vegetables commonly loaded with high amounts of potentially harmful chemical pesticides hence “dirty”. The EWG is a non-partisan, non-profit organization that does a tremendous job through research, in protecting the consumers and the environment from harmful chemicals we may be exposed to through the foods, water and products we consume every single day. This organization updates this list yearly so be sure to check out their website every year for updates. In this post, I have included the list of EWG’s 2021 Dirty 12 and Clean 15 produce, to give you a guide when you go shopping with your hard earned money. Consuming organic produce 100 percent of the time might not be plausible for some (unless you grow yours) so I suggest you keep this list as a guide the next time you go shopping so you don’t fall victim to bringing toxic foods into your home and on your dinner table!
Purchasing fresh organic produce can be quite expensive which is why I love to buy frozen organic fruits and vegetables whenever possible. These tend to be way cheaper and keep for months in the freezer. I particularly love to stock up on organic frozen strawberries, blueberries, and green beans from Costco because the quantity and price are just right for me.
2021 Dirty Dozen List (Buy These Foods Organic because they are highly sprayed with pesticides)
- Strawberries
- Spinach
- Bell and Hot Peppers
- Kale, Collard & Mustard Greens
- Nectarines
- Pears Bell and Hot Peppers
- Apples
- Grapes
- Cherries
- Peaches
- Celery
- Tomatoes
2021 Clean Produce List (It’s Okay To Buy These Foods Conventional because they are least contaminated)
- Avocados
- Sweet Corn (Non Gmo or Preferably Organic)
- Pineapples
- Onions
- Papaya (Non Gmo or Preferably Organic)
- Sweet Peas (Frozen)
- Eggplant
- Asparagus
- Broccoli
- Cabbage
- Kiwi
- Cauliflower
- Mushrooms
- Honeydew Melon
- Cantaloupe
Support Your Local Farmer
If you are anything like me, you’ll love to know how your food is grown, have so much respect and appreciation for small farmers.
Smaller farms tend to use organic practices to get you the most nutrient dense foods but most are not able to afford the “organic” certification. Make friends with your local farmer. Visit your local Farmer’s market and ask these farmers questions on their farming practices. Ask questions particularly about the “dirty dozen” fruits and vegetables to see what they are doing differently to protect you and your family and of course the environment from toxins.
