The Dirty Dozen: Know Which Produce You Should Always Buy Organic
By: Sheri Wetherell
Published: January 21, 2016

An organic apple a day will keep the doctor away! But a non-organic one could be harmful. Knowing which varieties of produce contain the most pesticides will help keep you and your family healthy. The Environmental Working Group (EWG) analyzes pesticide residue data from the USDA and ranks 48 popular produce from worst to best. It may cost a bit more to buy that organic apple, but isn’t a few cents worth it to your health?
 The Dirty Dozen
	This list now includes 14 foods you should always buy organic, what we call the Filthy Fourteen. Always buy these fruits and vegetables organic:
	Apples
	Peaches
	Nectarines
	Strawberries
	Grapes
	Celery
	Spinach
	Sweet Bell Peppers
	Cucumbers
	Cherry Tomatoes
	Snap Peas - Imported
	Potatoes
	Hot Peppers
	Kale / Collard Greens
 The Clean Fifteen
	If you can’t find organic, it’s okay to eat the following fruits and vegetables non-organic. According to the Environmental Working Group, a small amount of sweet corn, papaya, and summer squash sold in the U.S. is produced from genetically engineered  (GE) seedstock, so if you want to avoid GE produce, buy these organic
	Avocados
	Sweet Corn
	Pineapples
	Cabbage
	Sweet peas frozen
	Onions
	Asparagus
	Mangos
	Papayas
	Kiwi
	Eggplant
	Grapefruit
	Cantaloupe
	Cauliflower
	Sweet potatoes
	 
	Check the Environmental Working Group for a complete list of the dirtiest and cleanest varieties of conventional produce.