Environmental Working Group released its 2017 Dirty Dozen list and it serves as a solid reminder that we still have a lot of work to do when it comes to cleaning up the food system. This year, the annual report found that almost 70 percent of 48 non-organic samples tested positive for at least one pesticide (In many cases, the numbers were much higher). And get this: a single strawberry sample harbored 20 different pesticide residues.
While spinach is loaded with calcium and vitamins, there’s one reason to always try to choose organic. Researchers found DDT, a neurotoxic insecticide banned in the U.S., in an alarming number of samples.
A “Clean 15” list is also included in the report, identifying the non-organic produce least likely to be contaminated with pesticide levels. I advise choosing and growing organic as often as possible, but if you’re on a budget or your selection is limited, these lists help you focus your attention on avoiding the most contaminated fruits and veggies.
Key findings of the 2017 Dirty Dozen Report
- More than 98 percent of samples of strawberries, spinach, peaches, nectarines, cherries, and apples tested positive for residue of at least one pesticide.
- A single sample of strawberries showed 20 different pesticides.
- Spinach samples had, on average, twice as much pesticide residue by weight than any other crop.
- Avocados and sweet corn were the cleanest: only 1 percent of samples showed any detectable pesticides.
- More than 80 percent of pineapples, papayas, asparagus, onions, and cabbage had no pesticide residues (note: Some papayas are GMOs. Choose organic to avoid that).
- No single fruit sample from the Clean Fifteen tested positive for more than four types of pesticides.
This list should in no way deter you from eating fruits and vegetables, but it should make you weary of modern chemical farming. Using chemicals to fumigate the soil and kill weeds, microbes, and bugs has some unwanted side effects, including killing soil health and beneficial microbes. Pesticides are linked to dozens of health problems, including certain cancers, symptoms of ADHD, autism, Parkinson’s, and a whole host of other issues.
Josh Axe, DNM, DC, CNS is a certified doctor of natural medicine, doctor of chiropractic, and clinical nutritionist with a passion to help people get healthy by using food as medicine. For more information, please visit www.draxe.com.