A list of non organic foods that are low in chemical content has been compiled by the Environmental Working Group to assist consumers that would like to, but have not "gone organic" because of the involved costs. The Shoppers Guide to Pesticides in Produce offers details on how to reduce pesticide intake by up to 92% without switching to expensive organic certified products.
The guide suggests that the 12 most contaminated products expose consumers to an average of 14 different pesticides per day. These include fruits such as strawberries, peaches, nectarines, grapes and blueberries.
Fruits likely to contain less chemical content include pineapples, avocados, mangos, domestic cantaloupe, kiwi, watermelon and grapefruit.
Celery, spinach, sweet bell peppers, potatoes, lettuce and greens (kale and collards) are the vegetables most likely to retain pesticide contamination.
The "Clean Fifteen" list includes vegetables less likely to be contaminated like onions, sweet, corn, asparagus, sweet peas, eggplant, cabbage, sweet potatoes and mushrooms. By eating from this list, consumers may expose themselves to only two pesticides per day.
The EWG's Shopper's Guide is not meant to be comprehensive, but does serve as a guide to those concerned about pesticide content in non organic foods.
Source: blogs.miaminewtimes.com
