Most Contaminated Produce

(Andrew Weil, M.D. - Youtube)

Strawberries are the favorite fruit of a lot of children. Unfortunately, it's also one of the most contaminated produce available to you, according to the Environmental Working Group.

The Environmental Working Group released the "Dirty Dozen" list recently that documents the produce that is most likely to have pesticide residue, or be contaminated.

Most Contaminated Produce (Dirty Dozen) according to a new report from the Environmental Working Group:

• Strawberries
• Apples
• Nectarines
• Peaches
• Celery
• Grapes
• Cherries
• Spinach
• Tomatoes
• Sweet bell peppers
• Cherry tomatoes
• Cucumbers

Here are some guidelines from the EWG that can help you combat the contamination:

• Eat plenty of fruits and veggies, regardless of where they fall on these lists. The nutritional payoff is worth it.
• To limit pesticide exposure, buy organic produce whenever you can. But if your options or budget are limited, focus on choosing organic versions of the Dirty Dozen to get the biggest benefit for your family.
• Always wash fruits and veggies before eating, whether they’re “clean” or “dirty,” organic or conventional. Rubbing produce under running water removes not only pesticide residue, but also dirt and germs from handling.