Over the last few years, there has been an ongoing debate on buying organic versus regular produce. If you are wondering what the difference is in the first place, organic produce is defined by produce that is grown without the addition of pesticides, chemical fertilizers, and other added chemicals.
Some foods are safe to eat even if they are not grown organically for many reasons, like things with a thick outer shell that is not consumed like pineapple, avocado, and mangos. Some produce also naturally does not need as many pesticides like cabbage and onions. But, there are some items that are grown with a lot of chemicals that you really need to be aware of. The following is a list of the 12 most chemically aided produce products in the US, often called “the dirty dozen”:
- Strawberries
- Nectarines
- Apples
- Hot peppers and sweet bell peppers
- Spinach
- Grapes
- Peaches
- Pears
- Cherries
- Tomatoes
- Potatoes
- Celery
If you cook or eat any of these foods, you should really consider buying them organically for your health. Even if you use a solution to wash your food before you eat them, some chemicals cannot be removed easily and could be detrimental to your health.
