Pesticide Patrol: The Dozen Worst Fruits and Veggies

Soft, thin skin more susceptible to chemicals
By Emily Rauhala,  Newser Staff
Posted Jun 1, 2010 7:37 AM CDT
Updated Jun 5, 2010 2:51 PM CDT

Fruits and vegetables with soft skin are more likely to absorb pesticides than others, a new food safety investigation finds. Dubbing them America's "dirty dozen," the Environmental Working Group says they contain as many as 47 to 67 pesticides per serving even after being washed with a USDA-approved pressure water system. So what to eat? "You can reduce your exposure to pesticides by up to 80% by buying the organic version of the Dirty Dozen," an expert tells CNN. Or try the "Clean 15":

  • The 'Dirty Dozen': celery, peaches, strawberries, apples, domestic blueberries, nectarines, sweet bell peppers, spinach, cherries, potatoes, imported grapes, lettuce, kale, and collard greens
  • The 'Clean 15': onions, avocados, sweet corn, pineapples, mango, sweet peas, asparagus, kiwi, cabbage, eggplant, cantaloupe, watermelon, grapefruit, sweet potatoes, and sweet onions
Click here to read about 'health' foods that just aren't healthy. (More fruits and vegetables stories.)

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