EWG’s 2014 Shopping Guide

Each year, the Environmental Working Group (EWG) comes out with a detailed report on pesticide residue on the most popular produce items. It’s pretty sad to know that what we eat and buy most in the grocery stores – and what we feed our kids the most – is laden with heavily toxic pesticides. Ever since I read about the EWG’s goal to educate the public on the dangers of eating and buying non-organic foods, I’ve become extra diligent in buying fruits and vegetables for my family. Based on the U.S. Dept. of Agriculture and Food and Drug Administration data of most commonly grown produce in America, the EWG analyzes each of the produce below to give consumers a chance to make intelligent choices when buying produce. Not everyone has the resources to buy organic all the time ,but when it comes to the most popular produce you buy in your household, it’s best to stick with the organic versions. For those who are still a bit iffy about organic foods, know that in order to be labeled “organic” the USDA puts in strict guidelines for companies to follow. Tests are done on a scheduled and random basis for farmers and plants to ensure that the consumers in the US are actually getting an organically grown item. The term organic simply means, any organic produce and other ingredients are grown without the use of pesticides, synthetic fertilizers, sewage sludge, genetically modified organisms, or ionizing radiation. Animals that produce meat, poultry, eggs, and dairy products do not take antibiotics or growth hormones.

When shopping for these produce items, look for the USDA Organic seal and at best, shop at natural grocery stores who are dedicated in providing all if not most organic produce. But also be aware of farmers markets. Not all farmers markets sell organic produce. Some may sell produce that have not been sprayed with toxic pesticides but that doesn’t mean their soil and irrigation systems aren’t treated with toxic chemicals. Always ask the vendors at the farmers market whether their produce are organic and if not, how are their produce grown and treated.

Below is the newest list from the EWG and to download a guide to print out, click on the link: https://donate.ewg.org/images/2014_Shopper_Guide_to_Pesticides_in_Produce.pdf

All produce listed below are from most pesticide to least pesticide. So if your family tends to eat one fruit more than the other, be sure to take a look at the list first before deciding on which to buy. The general rule is if you eat more of it, then buying organically grown produce is worth it in the long run.

 

 

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