I can’t go organic with everything. Are there some foods that matter more?

Yes! If you can’t make the switch fully, there are definitely some products that are more dangerous than others. Sometimes referred to as the “Dirty Dozen,” the following produce are especially important to go organic with: peaches, apples, sweet bell peppers, celery, nectarines, strawberries, cherries, imported grapes, spinach, pears, lettuce, and potatoes. By switching to organic for only these items, you can eliminate exposure to about 15 different pesticides!

Animal products ranging from meat to dairy are always important to eat organic. Conventional products can contain hormones used for growth, antibiotics used to prevent disease, chemical and toxins in pesticides and more. Learn more about going organic!

The “Consistently Clean” list identifies products that are generally tested to be free of pesticides and includes: onions, avocados, sweet corn, papaya, mango, pineapple, asparagus, kiwi, broccoli, cabbage and sweet peas. These products are less important to buy organic. Visit the Environmental Working Group’s website for more detailed information.