How To

How to Choose Organic Produce

Member
By HS Schulte
User-Submitted Article
(6 Ratings)
Organic Produce
Organic Produce

Organic produce is mandated to be grown without the use of conventional pesticides, artificial fertilizers, or sewage sludge. It's hard to believe that is NOT a requirement for ALL produce. Because of pesticide residue in the soil, it is virtually impossible to grow produce "residue free" and even organically grown foods do not claim to be completely free of chemical residues. So you are thinking of buying organic, but you want to save money, you've come to the right place.

Difficulty: Easy
Instructions
  1. Step 1

    Know your produce! The Environmental Work Group, EWG, tested 45 types of conventionally grown produce and came up with a list ranking from the most polluted to least polluted with pesticide. This list is helpful in determining which produce to buy organic, with a reduced levels of pesticide, and which produce are relatively safe to buy conventionally grown if you are trying to save money.

  2. Step 2

    Often referred to as the “Dirty Dozen” are the 12 fruits or vegetables with the highest concentrations of pesticides. They are as follows:


    Peaches
    Apples
    Sweet Bell Peppers
    Celery
    Nectarines
    Strawberries
    Cherries
    Lettuce
    Grapes - Imported
    Pears
    Spinach
    Potatoes

  3. Step 3

    The least polluted produce is as follows:
    Eggplant
    Broccoli
    Cabbage
    Bananas
    Kiwi
    Asparagus
    Sweet Peas-Frozen
    Mango
    Pineapples
    Sweet Corn-Frozen
    Avocado
    Onions

  4. Step 4

    For a detailed list of all tested produce and the level of pesticide found visit the EWG link below.

Comments  

Flag This Comment

on 2/16/2009 These are helpful tips everyone needs to know what produce should be purchased organic.

TaxGuru said

Flag This Comment

on 2/16/2009 Important information to choose organic produce.

Post a Comment

Post a Comment
  • Have you done this? Click here to let us know.
I Did This

Related Ads

Get Free Health Newsletters

Copyright © 1999-2009 eHow, Inc. Use of this web site constitutes acceptance of the eHow Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.   en-US

Live Strong Partner
Livestrong_eHow Health