Updated 10/16/2011 12:02 PM

Shopping for produce free of pesticides

By: Terri Bennet

  To view our videos, you need to
enable JavaScript. Learn how.
install Adobe Flash 9 or above. Install now.

Then come back here and refresh the page.

There’s a whole lot of talk these days about what organic foods shoppers should buy. It can be confusing to figure out what’s the best bang for your buck and what’s also the healthiest options. Do Your Part and get to know the Clean 15.

Shopping for produce free of pesticides
The Clean 15 is a list of the specific fruits and vegetables that have been tested to have the lowest levels of pesticide residue after having been grown on a conventional farm. The ‘Clean 15’ includes onions, avocados, sweet corn, pineapples, mangoes, sweet peas, asparagus, kiwi fruit, cabbage, eggplant, cantaloupe, watermelon, grapefruit, sweet potatoes, and sweet onions.
The reason these fruits and vegetables are free of many pesticides is because they naturally absorb less of the chemicals during the growing process.

The Environmental Working Group conducted the testing and has an online guide to get more information. They also have a free smart phone app that’s helpful on the go.

Pesticide-free produce is clearly better for you and your family. Now you can stretch those organic dollars wisely by knowing which organic options are better for you and your wallet.