The dirty dozen and clean 15 refer to the list of top 12 food items with the most pesticides and the top 15 with the least. A 2019 report has compiled a new list of the dirty dozen and clean 15 that revealed 70 percent of conventionally grown American produce contained pesticide residue.
After looking at produce that was thoroughly washed and peeled, there were still 225 different pesticides on them.
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The dirty dozen list includes strawberries, spinach, kale, nectarines, apples, grapes, peaches, cherries, pears, tomatoes, celery, and potatoes.
The clean 15 list includes of avocadoes, sweet corn, pineapples, sweet peas (frozen), onions, papayas, eggplants, asparagus, kiwis, cabbages, cauliflower, cantaloupes, broccoli, mushrooms, and honeydew melons.
As you can see, there are many superfoods on the dirty dozen list. Rather than avoiding them altogether, it may be wise to purchase these products organic to reduce your exposure to pesticides.
Pesticides are toxic. Symptoms of pesticide toxicity include mild skin irritation, coughing, wheezing, nausea, and vomiting. In severe cases, it can trigger a coma or even death.
With any fruit or vegetable, it’s essential that you wash these items very thoroughly and you may consider using a specific wash for fruits and vegetables.
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Mohan Garikiparithi got his degree in medicine from Osmania University (University of Health Sciences). He practiced clinical medicine for over a decade before he shifted his focus to the field of health communications. During his active practice he served as the head of the Dept. of Microbiology in a diagnostic centre in India. On a three-year communications program in Germany, Mohan developed a keen interest in German Medicine (Homoeopathy), and other alternative systems of medicine. He now advocates treating different medical conditions without the use of traditional drugs. An ardent squash player, Mohan believes in the importance of fitness and wellness.
