Organic vs. Conventional: The Dirty Dozen

I remember when the term “organic” first started becoming a thing – in my world, at least. I would hear it being thrown around here and there, but finding an organic vegetable in my everyday supermarket was basically a joke.

To be honest, I wasn’t buying into the whole idea of organic foods. I was still in high school at that time, and to me, choosing whole wheat bread over white bread was the healthiest it was going to get. Fast forward to a few years later, and here I am spreading the word about all things natural to as many people as I can, whenever I possibly can.

For me, buying organic is just a given these days, but I realize that not everyone shares the same viewpoint as I do, so today I wanted to shed some light on a list known as the Dirty Dozen.

Every year, Environmental Working Group publishes a list of popular conventional (non-organic) foods, rating them from the highest amount of pesticide residues to the lowest. The Dirty Dozen refers to the 12 that have been rated the highest in pesticide residues.

the dirty dozen

I think we can all agree that eating chemicals is probably not the best for our bodies. Since these 12 are the most pesticide-filled of those tested, I think it’s best to make sure that this group of food is one that is never consumed unless it’s organic. So without further ado, here is EWG’s Dirty Dozen for 2014, in order, beginning with the most pesticides.

the dirty dozen

the dirty dozen

the dirty dozen

the dirty dozen

the dirty dozen

the dirty dozen

the dirty dozen

the dirty dozen

the dirty dozen

the dirty dozen

the dirty dozen

the dirty dozen

So the next time you’re scanning the supermarket for one of these items, make sure you go straight for the organic ones!

For more information, and to see the full list of foods tested, go here.

the dirty dozen

Follow Brigette on Instagram, and have a look at her blog and Etsy shop!

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9 years ago

Totally needed to know this. Thank you, Brigette!

9 years ago

Thank you for this!!! Perfect post.

juliettelaura.blogspot.com

jessi
9 years ago

i remember when the whole organic thing became all the craze a couple years ago. to me organic was just a way of life. i grew up eating all natural and organic. my mom would buy everything from whole foods and she even made organic baby food for us. fast forward to today, i’m 21, an environmental science student who only shops organic. it can be more expensive but you just need to trade it out for something else. instead of going to bars every weekend spend that money on organic food.

great post, it would be nice to have a post on GMOs and the foods to avoid. (CORN AND WHEAT!!!) unless organic.

Rachel
9 years ago

Any thoughts re: cleaning non-organic produce? I use cold water & vinegar & have used the fruit/veggie natual cleaning sprays as well …… thanks for the article … blessings

Kitty Kat
9 years ago

One of the most important things is buying local food. Even organic produce is often shipped from far away, using up tons of fuel and supporting mass production.
I recommend that everyone check out the book Animal, Vegetable, Miracle by Barbara Kingsolver <3

Dee
9 years ago

Thank you for spreading the word about this. I think my extra money put toward an organic shopping list has a priceless payoff.

DW | http://www.daundra.com

Jlo
9 years ago

To all those going down the organic route please check this out (even though it’s Australian the studies used are universally relevant). Also be mindful when buying cosmetics and any secondary products like muesli bars and such because the word ‘organic’ is often just a marketing ploy.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jlqk8oV1FVI

B
9 years ago

Why do these foods have more pesticides in them than other conventional foods such as the Clean Fifteen?