http://www.care2.com/greenliving/what-to-avoid-in-spring-produce.html
What to Avoid in Spring Produce
By Melissa Breyer, Senior Editor, Healthy & Green Living
What a world-gone-crazy time it is when you can write “produce” and “avoid” in the same sentence. In my version of paradise we don’t need lists to tell us what not to eat because of pesticide contamination, thanks to a spiraling out-of-control food system. But here we are, with the newly published 5th edition of Environmental Working Group’s (EWG) Shopper’s Guide to Pesticides, which includes the latest government data.
You have probably seen the guide before; it lists 47 popular fruits and vegetables in ranking of pesticide contamination and helps you know which produce to buy organic, and which conventionally-grown fruits and vegetables are okay if organic isn’t available. An EWG simulation of thousands of consumers eating high and low pesticide diets shows that people can lower their pesticide exposure by almost 80 percent by avoiding the top twelve most contaminated fruits and vegetables and eating the least contaminated instead.
According to EWG, every year new research is published demonstrating the toxicity of pesticides to human health and the environment, often at doses previously declared “safe” by the pesticide industry and the government. As acknowledged by the U.S. and international government agencies, different pesticides have been linked with a variety of toxic effects, including nervous system effects, carcinogenic effects, hormone system effects, and skin, eye and lung irritation.
Ideally, for the environment, we’d all choose organic all the time. But for many that’s not realistic, so this list can be very helpful in guiding you to make the healthiest choices available to you. You can download the full list of the 47 at EWG. I have compiled a cheat sheet here of what to look for in your spring produce shopping. The rankings are listed in the parenthesis. Out of 47 items tested, 1 is the most contaminated and 47 is the least.
Buy Organic or Don’t Buy: Five spring items with the highest pesticide loads
Strawberries (6)
Lettuce (9)
Carrots (11)
Spinach (14)
Potatoes (15)
Aim for Organic, But Conventional Will Do: Four spring items with the lowest pesticide loads
broccoli (35)
sweet peas (41)
asparagus (42)
onions (47)
If you can shop at a farmer’s market, remember to ask the vendors about their pest management philosophies. Many farmers are unable or unwilling to file for organic certification but still practice organic, or almost organic, methods. It can be a good way for safer eating without the organic label.
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9 comments
add your comment »Helen
I believe that it would be worthwhile taking a course in domestication and/or plant biology from an accredited university. Man/Woman has been tampering with plant biology for 10 thousand years (that is the first evidence of domestication, i.e. GMO). In fact the first domestication didn’t even happen by us, it happened by ants thousands of years before us; but that is another story. Everything (animals, fruits, vegetables, legumes, etc) we eat (organic or not, heirloom or not) has been genetically modified. If you want to eat foods that have not been genetically modified you are going to be limited to miner’s lettuce and wild snakes...bon appetit!
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growing your own food gives us back the feeling of satisfaction that is missing in so many. Dont forget to let one or two plants of each thing you grow go to seed,keep the seeds for nexts years planting.
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thanks...
Kabin
Konteyner
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Thank you as always for all of your wonderful information. It seems that often when it comes to articles that enlighten us about the pesticide load and the dangers thereof on our fruits and vegetables, then we are encouraged to support our local Farmers Markets as a safe alternative. I don't know about elsewhere, but here in Eastern Oregon where I live, I have asked different vendors at our local Farmers Markets whether or not they use Heirloom seeds or Organic seeds in order to avoid the dangers of GMO seeds and so far I haven't found one yet that even knows what I am talking about, or at least acts innocent or naieve. Therefore, supporting our local farmers is not a viable option for me if I can't be assured of the safety of the produce they are selling. I think this is too bad.
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I, too, am very concerned about the amount of pesticides and other chemicals that are seemingly dumped onto our foods these days. While I understand the importance of feeding our nation, I don't feel enough research has gone into long term affects these chemicals have on our bodies. The evidence that has come to light in the last few years is frightening to say the least.
I come from a line of people who went through the depression and was taught the importance of growing our own foods to ensure we #1: had enough to feed our family on a limited income, and #2: knew where it came from. While I will admit that I stepped away from planting my own veggies for many years, I have recently returned to a more safe and economical way of treating my veggie bin by growing my own. Creating a potted patio/veranda garden is very easy and not very costly if you don't have enough space for a traditional garden....anyone who does this will reap the benefits of better grown veggies that are free of harmful chemicals....and in addtion.... they are there to pick fresh out of the garden and at your finger tips.
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Matia, you are so right. It's amazing how much extra cash can be found in your food budget if you stop buying processed foods. Though I'm not vegetarian, cutting my meat consumption in half has also cut food costs.
Starting a garden is also a good way to put organic produce on your table. I live in an apartment, but am lucky to have the use of a nearby friend's backyard to garden in. Community garden groups and CSAs with local small farms (which are often organic or close to) are sprouting up all over the country as well. There are a lot of options for those of us with little money to spare.
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The more people who buy organic, the more demand there will be. The higher the demand, the more farmers who will grow organically. The more farmers growing organically, the greater the benefits on the planet. We all know what that means! So, don't look at that $2.00 apple and say "I can't afford that!" Look at that $2.00 apple and say, "I can't afford NOT to do that". And remember: Creating a demand on organic produce will eventually create a greater supply which will in turn bring the cost down. But we have to spend more now to get there!
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EWG is great. If I can't find an organic version of any of the dirty dozen, I'll do without. Not buying animal or processed foods can afford me the luxury of eating better produce!
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Thank you so much for this! I would buy everything organic if I could afford it. This helps set some priorities.
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