The Dirty Dozen. We are often asked, “Does organic matter?” Truth is … Kind of. Funny thing about organic, most fruits and vegetables are planted next to items that not organic. If the wind blows or some product is accidentally placed with the others, then there is a possibility that the item has also been exposed to pesticides and toxins. No one wants to purposely eat pesticides and toxins, but thankfully the Environmental Working Group and other groups have tested our food and have narrowed down the most affected fruits and veggies. These fruits and vegetables also retain the highest amount of toxins once sprayed. Keep in mind each state has different laws on pesticides and toxins but in general, the most affected fruits and vegetables are the same nationwide and for the most part worldwide.
Dirty Dozen (in order from most pesticides to least) 
- Apples
- Strawberries
- Grapes
- Celery
- Peaches
- Spinach
- Sweet Bell Peppers
- Nectarines (imported)
- Cucumbers
- Cherry Tomatoes
- Snap Peas (Imported)
- Potatoes
Hot peppers and kale (collard greens) follow directly from that list at 13 and 14. These 14 fruits and vegetables you should buy organic in order to consume the least amount of pesticides and toxins. The clean fifteen are fruits and vegetables that contain the least amount of pesticides. That doesn’t mean you shouldn’t buy them organic that just means if you are on a budget these items would be the items you can skip organic on. We always recommend buying this way but this will help you decide which items are truly necessary to have organiclifestyle.
Clean Fifteen
- Avocados
- Sweet corn
- Pineapples
- Cabbage
- Sweet peas (frozen)
- Onions
- Asparagus
- Mangos
- Papayas
- Kiwi
- Eggplant
- Grapefruit
- Cantaloupe
- Cauliflower
- Sweet potatoes
