12 Fruits and Vegetables that You Should Buy Organic

Last updated on April 26th, 2024 at 01:08 pm

In the supermarket, there are many fruits and vegetables grown using either conventional or organic methods.

Conventionally grown produce are generally cheaper than organic options so it is more appealing to consumers.

However, organic options for some produce should be considered as high levels of pesticides are present for conventionally grown options.  

Below is a list published by the Environmental Working Group (EWG), which is a non-profit research organisation, seeking to educate consumers in the correct selection and spending on produce by compiling two lists updated annually: Dirty Dozen™ and Clean Fifteen™.

Buying the correct produce is important, another consideration will be to buy green household products as well to help enjoy savings in both finance and the environment. 

For produce in the Dirty Dozen™ list, the organic options should be selected. Test results from U.S. Department of Agriculture and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) have shown that conventionally grown options for these produce contain consistently high levels of pesticides. Hence, it will be safer and healthier if organically grown options are selected.

List of produce in the Dirty Dozen™ includes: 

Fruits

1. Peaches
2. Apples
3. Bell and hot Peppers
4. Grapes
5. Pears
6. Nectarines
7. Cherries
8. Strawberries

Vegetables

1. Lettuce
2. Celery
3. Spinach
4. Potatoes

Whereas, the Clean Fifteen™ list contains produce with the least levels of pesticides even for conventionally grown options.

List of produce in Clean Fifteen™ includes: 

Fruits

1. Avocadoes
2. Bananas
3. Kiwi
4. Mangoes
5. Papayas
6. Pineapples

Vegetables

1. Asparagus
2. Broccoli
3. Cabbage
4. Frozen Sweet Corn
5. Frozen Peas
6. Onions

References

1)http://www.ewg.org/foodnews/(accessed 3/01/2022)

(Last Updated 3/01/2022)