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13 Apr EWG’s 2016 Dirty Dozen | Clean Fifteen List

Every year I look forward to the Environmental Working Group’s (EWG) Dirty Dozen/Clean Fifteen list. This handy guide helps you avoid non-organic fruits and vegetables that are highest in pesticide residues and choose non-organic items from the Clean Fifteen List. As someone who works with patients, I rely on it to assist them in making better choices during and after cancer treatment to reduce their toxic load.

The 2016 edition of EWG’s Shopper’s Guide to Pesticides in Produce™ elevated strawberries to the top of the Dirty Dozen list. This is particularly disturbing when you take into account that organic strawberries represent less than 10% of the market nationwide. This year, EWG is putting extra focus on conventionally grown strawberries since Americans eat nearly eight pounds of fresh strawberries a year, most of which is contains dozens of pesticides, including chemicals that have been linked to cancer and reproductive damage or are banned in Europe. USDA tests found that strawberries even after they are picked, rinsed in the field and washed before eating, are most likely to be contaminated with pesticide residues. As disturbing as this is, you should note that this does not violate U.S. laws and regulations on pesticides on food.

Many chemicals are linked to cancer, reproductive and developmental damage, hormone disruption and neurological problems. Here are the worst:

• Bifenthrin, found on more than 40% of samples in 2014, is an insecticide that California regulators have designated a possible human carcinogen.
• Malathion, found on more than 20% of samples in 2009 and 10% in 2014, is toxic to the nervous system and, according to the International Agency for Cancer Research, a probable human carcinogen. It is often sprayed to eradicate mosquitos and other insects. In addition, malaoxon, a particularly toxic chemical formed when malathion breaks down, showed up on more than 10% of the 2009 samples.
• Carbendazim, a hormone-disrupting fungicide that damages the male reproductive system, was detected on 30% of 2014 samples. The European Union has banned it because of its intense toxicity.

With avocados, pineapples and mangoes on the clean list, I can tell you it made this Caribbean girl incredibly happy. However, I am sorry to let you know your favorite smoothie blends including most berries and everyone’s sweetheart… kale, appeared on the dirty list. Sorry, folks… but this is place where you want to invest a few extra bucks.* Sweet corn, papaya and summer squash sold in the United States may be produced from GMO seeds. Buy organic varieties if you want to avoid GMO produce.

To learn more, donate and to see the full list which includes 100 fruits and vegetables: http://www.ewg.org/