A Reason To Go Organic | Foodfacts.com

Not all of us can afford to go 100% organic every time we shop. The solution? Focus on those foods that come with the heaviest burden of pesticides, additives and hormones. According to the Environmental Working Group (EWG), consumers can reduce their pesticide exposure by 80% by avoiding the most contaminated fruits and vegetables and eating only the cleanest. If consumers get their USDA-recommended 5 daily servings of fruits and veggies from the 15 most contaminated, they could consume an average of 10 pesticides a day. Those who eat the 15 least contaminated conventionally grown produce ingest less than 2 pesticides daily.

EWG has been publishing guides to the “dirty dozen” of most pesticide contaminated foods since 1995, based on statistical analysis of testing conducted by the USDA and the FDA. The latest guide is now available, and will soon be an iPhone application. According to EWG analyst Chris Campbell, the new dirty dozen only reflects measurable pesticide residues on the parts of the foods normally consumed (i.e. washed and peeled). We have listed these 12 foods in the following pages.

Can’t find organic versions of your favorite foods? There are safer alternatives available that contain similar valuable vitamins and minerals. It’s also important to remember that many popular foods provide no information about antibiotics or hormones, or about the impact of producing food on the surrounding environment. It is for this reason that foodfacts.com believes it is important for consumers to be aware that there are many important foods that can be bought organic. It’s all part of taking a more taking a more holistic approach.

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The Daily Green

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Geoff diet, food, nutrition organic