The 'dirty dozen' chemicals found on our everyday foods

When it comes to eating healthy and ensuring we are eating and providing the family with good levels of fruits and vegetable we are also keen to avoid/reduce the pesticide exposure that comes along with it. Many  pesticides, herbicides, fungicides used have been linked to health issues, in particular those affecting our delicate hormone and nervous system balance.  Pesticides are also killing our honeybees as well as other beneficial insects.

Young children are highly sensitive to pesticide residues (particularly important when the human brain is developing)  so it is important that we are informed on the levels of pesticide residues that are found on various fruits and vegetables so we can make informed choices.

The environmental working group (EWG) who are a non-profit organisation are continously testing our common fruits and vegetables for pesticide residues to help us put our health first whilst saving money along the way.

Here is the 2020 list for you to consider –

HIGHER PESTICIDES RESIDUES (OR ‘DIRTY ‘AS DESCRIBED BY EWG)

  • Strawberries

  • Spinach

  • Kale

  • Nectarines

  • Apples

  • Grapes

  • Peaches

  • Cherries

  • Pears

  • Tomatoes

  • Celery

  • Potatoes

    Also hot peppers

It is best to buy the above organically where possible

 LOWER PESTICIDE RESIDUES (OR ‘CLEAN’ AS DESCRIBED BY EWG)

  • Cauliflower

  • Sweet Potato

  • Cantelope Melon

  • Grapefruit

  • Aubergines

  • Kiwi

  • Papaya

  • Mango

  • Asparagus

  • Onions

  • plums

  • Raspberries

  • Blueberries

  • Cabbage

  • Pineapple

  • Sweetcorn

  • Avocado

Those above have been found with lower pesticide residues so, its good to know that if not buying organic you are not being exposed to large amounts of them.


When we eat healthy fruits and vegetables its good to know how we can save money when it comes to buying ‘priority’organic produce whilst still supporting our health.

For more information on EWG go to www.ewg.org

karen devine