Dirty Dozen + Clean 15 - Environmental Working Group Shopper's Guide | Andrew Weil, M.D.

The Environmental Working Group publishes an annual Shopper's Guide. It consists of two lists: the "Dirty Dozen" produce varieties that have most pesticide contamination, and the "Clean 15" that are the least contaminated. Here, Dr. Weil explains why shoppers should be concerned about pesticide levels, and how the Shopper's Guide can help them avoid these worrisome chemicals.
Find out more about the "Dirty Dozen" you should buy organic (updated for 2018):
The Dirty Dozen: weil.ws/2K4EVRS
Find out more about the "Clean 15" that are safe to eat non-organic (updated for 2018):
The Clean Fifteen: weil.ws/2spFxts
Video Transcript: Dirty Dozen + Clean 15 - Environmental Working Group 2014 Shopper's Guide
Pesticides are toxins, and they can’t be good for you, so the only question is, how bad they are, and I think in many cases the answer is pretty bad. A lot of these chemicals are toxic to the nervous system, others may disrupt endocrine function in the body, and they may increase risk of cancer and other chronic diseases. So I think we should all be trying to take action to minimize our exposure to pesticides, including residues of pesticides on foods we eat. I think an obvious one with food is to try to buy food that is certified organic, because under the federal organic standards, these chemical pesticides can’t be used.
And we have very good data showing that if people eat organic, that measurable pesticide levels in their tissues drop. And this has been shown with kids as well. For many people, buying organic is difficult, either it is not easily available in areas where you live or it’s too expensive and not practical. And I always said that it would be wise to learn which crops are most likely to carry pesticide residues and in those instances to try to get organic versions or to reduce consumption or avoid the conventional varieties.
The Clean 15 are the 15 least contaminated crops. So I think these are things that you can buy in conventional versions and not worry about them, and if you’re on a tight budget these are the foods you concentrate on. If you simply shift from eating foods from the Dirty Dozen list to the Clean 15 list, you will have a measurable drop in tissue accumulations of pesticide. I would say with the Dirty Dozen list, and this is what I do in my own life is that I say if I can’t get organic versions of those, I’m not going to eat them.

[@jameslipke354]

I use a Lemon & Vinegar wash on fresh fruits and vegetables I buy at the grocery store. I wonder if Dr. Weil recommends that. ~ April Lipke

[@whamases]

I find that lists like these are a bit over-simplified; I'd rather know which produce has more than "x" amount of pesticides in them. Number 14 on the list might have ten times the toxic load as 15 and so on. I've looked for this information but without success.

[@DukeGMOLOL]

The Dirty Dozen "list" is false and misleading claptrap of the worst kind. Our food is safe whamases. Regards.
geneticliteracyproject.org/2016/04/05/usda-annual-report-pesticide-residues-food-well-amounts-dangerous-humans/

[@Allisonmia1]

Can I share this on my Facebook page?

[@hiitfitnessafter4089]

Allison Maxwell yes!

[@popeyegordon]

Only if you are an asshole.