2010 Dirty Dozen List & Clean 15 List
photo credit: Vironevaeh
There’s always a lot of controversy on whether or not paying extra money for organic food is worth it. Sometimes it’s worth paying extra to reduce exposure to pesticides and chemicals, and other times it’s really not that big of a difference. That’s where the 2010 Dirty Dozen list comes in. The Environmental Working Group published a list of produce that you should buy organic if at all possible. The Dirty Dozen list includes:
1. Celery
2. Peaches
3. Strawberries
4. Apples
5. Blueberries
6. Nectarines
7. Bell Peppers
8. Spinach
9. Kale
10. Cherries
11. Potatoes
12. Grapes (Imported)
One of the biggest factors is that these items either have thin skin or are grown in the ground. Both points make it easy for the produce to absorb chemicals.
The EWG also puts out a “Clean 15 list” which is items that you can buy conventional (non-organic) and not panic. The Clean 15 list:
1. Onions
2. Avocado
3. Sweet Corn
4. Pineapple
5. Mangos
6. Sweet Peas
7. Asparagus
8. Kiwi
9. Cabbage
10. Eggplant
11. Cantaloupe
12. Watermelon
13. Grapefruit
14. Sweet Potato
15. Honeydew Melon
Of course, if it came down to deciding whether to buy Twinkies or a conventional apple, I think it’s better to choose the apple. 
These lists are just guidelines to go by to reduce your pesticide and chemical exposure.
Do you shop by the dirty dozen list? Are you surprised an item is (or is not) on the list?
I’m particularly pragmatic when it comes to the food I choose to purchase. I tend to aim primarily for price tag.
Next year, my neighbour and I are going as far as to start our own food garden and grow pretty much all the aforementioned in that top 12 list of yours. Save a couple, given our rather northern climate over here. I figured this is not only more healthy, but cost effective as well. A couple of the folks I’m will will be entering retirement soon, so they’ll be helping around the garden as well. We got a pretty big backyard, at around a 7th of an acre. It’ll be.. Fun.. If we can make the most out of those 7 acres!
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Mrs Money Reply:
May 5th, 2010 at 5:04 pm
Aury- That’s going to be great having your own garden! We do it too and it’s so rewarding!
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How can blueberries be on both the dirty dozen and the clean 15 list? Does this concern any one else?
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Mrs Money Reply:
May 5th, 2010 at 5:05 pm
Jess- I saw that too. I think I had last year’s list. I think it’s strange it went from the Clean 15 to Dirty Dozen in a year, though!
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Why are blueberries on both lists?
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Mrs Money Reply:
May 5th, 2010 at 5:05 pm
Em, I had last year’s list. I think it’s strange it went from the Clean 15 to Dirty Dozen in a year, though!
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Blueberries are on both lists.
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Mrs Money Reply:
May 5th, 2010 at 5:05 pm
I think had last year’s list. I think it’s strange it went from the Clean 15 to Dirty Dozen in a year, though
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..how are blueberries on the dirty 12 & the clean 15?
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Mrs Money Reply:
May 5th, 2010 at 5:06 pm
I had last year’s list. I think it’s strange it went from the Clean 15 to Dirty Dozen in a year, though!
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Why are blueberries on both lists?
We buy based on price, so we don’t usually spend the extra to buy organic.
I’m happy bananas and watermelon are on the “clean” list since they are my favorite fruits. I’m sad that potatoes are on the “dirty” list since we eat alot of those…
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Mrs Money Reply:
May 5th, 2010 at 5:06 pm
I had last year’s list. I think it’s strange it went from the Clean 15 to Dirty Dozen in a year, though!
I think it’s better to eat fruits and veggies even if they aren’t organic versus processed food. Everyone’s got to do what works for their family.
I am glad bananas are on the clean list too!
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Jeri Reply:
September 23rd, 2011 at 10:18 am
I didn’t see bananas on the clean list ….
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It didn’t know this list, but I try to buy fair-trade bananas, pineapples and mangos, because you often hear how dangerous the chemicals are for the planters.
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Mrs Money Reply:
May 5th, 2010 at 5:07 pm
Corrie- That is a great point! I love pineapples and mangoes. Yum!
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