Avoiding Poisoned Apples
No need to watch out for evil witches; a tempting Red Delicious containing toxic chemicals such as pesticides may be lurking even at your nearest grocery store, according to the Environmental Working Group (EWG).
The group has been an advocate about educating the public about exposure to toxins since 1993. One of there most popular publications is the Shopper’s Guide to Pesticides in which they rank pesticide contamination for 47 popular fruits and vegetables according to data from the U.S. Department of Agriculture and Food and Drug Administration.
Effects of pesticides on health are a matter of controversy, but EWG has questioned safety data because of the design of these chemicals to “kill living organisms”. The group also cites links to carcinogenic effects and other toxic effects on the nervous system and endocrine system as well as possible irritation to skin, eyes and lungs.
Knowing which fruits and vegetables to avoid or buy organic is important for reducing the body’s exposure to pesticides. In fact, EWG suggests that about 80 percent of exposure can be avoided by simply avoiding the top “dirty dozen”, as EWG calls them. Here they are:
- Peaches
- Apples
- Sweet Bell Peppers
- Celery
- Nectarines
- Strawberries
- Cherries
- Kale
- Lettuce
- Grapes – Imported
- Carrots
- Pears
Should you simply buy all your fruits and vegetables organic? Not necessarily. According to EWG, the “Clean 15″ at the bottom of the pesticide list are nothing to worry about:
- Onions
- Avocado
- Sweet Corn
- Pineapple
- Mango
- Asparagus
- Sweet Peas
- Kiwi
- Cabbage
- Eggplant
- Papaya
- Watermelon
- Broccoli
- Tomato
- Sweet Potato
Download EWG’s entire list of ranking’s here (also available for your iPhone). Eating clean food is one of the best ways to keep your body snowy-white clean.
David Despain
Manager of Technical Projects, Nutritional Sciences
Science Editor, Isagenix Health and Wellness Blog
