The term "organic" refers to the way farmers grow and process products. Because buying organic foods may be expensive, it is important for you to focus on the foods that have the heaviest burden of pesticides. The Environmental Working Group publishes a "dirty dozen" list each year, listing the foods that are contaminated by pesticides even after being washed and peeled. Their list includes number of vegetables that you should buy organic, if possible.
Definition of Organic
The Organic Trade Association defines organic production as a system of farming that maintains soil fertility without using pesticides and fertilizers. According to MayoClinic.com, food labeled "100-percent organic" implies that the products are completely organic and made of all organic ingredients. Food labeled "organic" means that the product is at least 95 percent organic. Food labeled "made with organic ingredients" implies that at least 70 percent of the product contains organic ingredients.
Leafy Vegetables
Farmers tend to use pesticides to save their leafy vegetable crops from various bugs and insects. Spinach may contain as many as 48 different pesticides, making it one of the most contaminated green leafy vegetables. U.S. government tests often find kale to have high amounts of pesticide residue. Lettuce is another leafy vegetable that you should buy organic. Alternative leafy vegetables that do not need to be bought organic include cabbage and broccoli.
Thin-Skinned Vegetables
Celery has no protective skin, which makes it almost impossible to wash off chemicals used on conventional crops. According to TheDailyGreen.com, celery ranked number one in its 2010 "dirty dozen" list of foods that you should buy organic. Bell peppers also have thin skin and are often sprayed heavily with insecticides. Tests found 49 different pesticides on sweet bell peppers. You should also buy tomatoes organic because of their thin skin.
Root Vegetables
According to HealthCastle.com, potatoes and carrots are at high risk for pesticides and may be affected by fungicides in their surrounding soil. Alternative root vegetables that do not need to be bought organic include radishes and onions because they have tough skins.
Member Comments