Buying Organic – Wondering If It’s Worth It?

You may have heard of “The Dirty Dozen & Clean Fifteen” list put out by The Environmental Working Group (EWG), a non-profit, non-partisan organization. These lists were compiled using data from the USDA on the amount of pesticide residue found in non-organic fruits and vegetables after they have been washed using high-pressure water systems.

Organic foods are grown without the use of synthetic fertilizers or pesticides. Pesticides have been found to cause a variety of degenerative ailments and illnesses.  In addition, they diminish the nutrients in our soil. Organic foods have stricter guidelines concerning the amount of natural contaminants allowed for safe consumption.

The Environmental Working Group (EWG) has put together two lists, “The Dirty Dozen and The Clean Fifteen”.  The Dirty Dozen is a list of produce that contains the highest level of pesticide residue.  Therefore, those are produce you should consider buying organic.  The Clean Fifteen is a list that has the lowest level of pesticides.

Shop smarter and download the “Dirty Dozen” App to your phone. The guide helps you to make informed choices to lower your dietary pesticide load.