The Cleanest and Dirtiest Fruits and Vegatables

[taiwan_girl]

the Environmental Working Group (EWG), a non-profit organization focused on environmental and public health research and advocacy, uses data from the USDA to identify conventional (non-organic) produce with the highest and lowest levels of pesticide residue. The group organizes these fruits and veggies into lists called the "Dirty Dozen" and "Clean Fifteen."

(The Best, Starting with Best)
Pineapples
Sweet Corn (fresh and frozen)
Avocados
Papaya
Onion
Sweet Peas (frozen)
Asparagus
Cabbage
Watermelon
Cauliflower
Bananas
Mangoes
Carrots
Mushrooms
Kiwis

The Worst, Starting with Worst
Spinach
Strawberries
Kale, Collard, and Mustard Greens
Grapes
Peaches
Cherries
Nectarines
Pears
Apples
Blackberries
Blueberries
Potatoes

https://www.ewg.org/foodnews/full-list.php

[Doctor Phibes]

I was recently told, in no uncertain terms, that my predilection for eating unwashed blackberries straight out of the box bordered on being a crime against humanity.

It appears that my advisor was once again correct.

[89th]

Funny, I wash all the items on the bottom list, and have never washed an item on the top list. Of course I just do a quick rinse with water, my wife uses a "fruit and vegetable wash" soap she got from Trader Joes.

[Axtremus]

@89th said in The Cleanest and Dirtiest Fruits and Vegatables:

... "fruit and vegetable wash" soap she got from Trader Joes.

I use that too, primarily to wash off the layer of wax that comes naturally with most fruits.

There was an earlier version of a similar product called "Fit" (IIRC, not Trader Joe's). But that was many years ago and it was discontinued very quickly.

[Mik]

@Doctor-Phibes said in The Cleanest and Dirtiest Fruits and Vegatables:

I was recently told, in no uncertain terms, that my predilection for eating unwashed blackberries straight out of the box bordered on being a crime against humanity.

It appears that my advisor was once again correct.

I eat blackberries several times a week. My normal breakfast is muesli with 6 oz of blackberries. I wash them, but I'll often pop one in my mouth beforehand. Doomed, I suppose.

My regulars are below, and i do wash them with water but pretty thoroughly.

(The Best, Starting with Best)
Sweet Corn (fresh and frozen)
Avocados
Onion
Asparagus
Cabbage
Watermelon
Bananas
Carrots
Mushrooms

The Worst, Starting with Worst
Spinach
Strawberries
Grapes (does fermented count?)
Peaches
Cherries
Apples
Blackberries
Blueberries
Potatoes

[Axtremus]

Corn … I don’t normally wash them. I typically buy them fresh with the husk on. I microwave them with a few layers of the husk on, then peel away the husk before eating. I figure any pollutant would be peeled away with the husk.

[LuFins Dad]

Pineabbles are the dirtiest fruit, and it has nothing to do with pesticides. There are some sick, sick people out there…

[Doctor Phibes]

@LuFins-Dad said in The Cleanest and Dirtiest Fruits and Vegatables:

Pineabbles are the dirtiest fruit, and it has nothing to do with pesticides. There are some sick, sick people out there…

This pear's a bit of a dirty girl if you ask me

Or if you prefer something a little hotter....

[jon-nyc]

On occasion my eggplant is absolutely filthy.