Welcome back for Day 4 of the 5 Day “Toss” the Toxins Challenge!
DAY 4 – Dirty Dozen Produce
WHY IS IT TOXIC?
Nearly 70 percent of the fresh produce sold in the U.S. contains residues of potentially harmful chemical pesticides, according to the Environmental Working Group’s (EWG) analysis of the latest test data from the federal Department of Agriculture.
Many crops contain potentially harmful pesticides, even after washing, peeling or scrubbing, which the USDA does before testing each item. Since pesticide contamination varies by crop, it is important to understand which items are most or least contaminated.
The 12 most contaminated produce (DIRTY DOZEN) in 2020 per the EWG are:
- Strawberries
- Spinach
- Kale
- Nectarines
- Apples
- Grapes
- Peaches
- Cherries
- Pears
- Tomatoes
- Celery
- Potatoes
KEY FINDINGS:
–More than 90 percent of samples of strawberries, apples, cherries, spinach, nectarines, and kale tested positive for residues of two or more pesticides.
–Multiple samples of kale showed 18 different pesticides.
–On average, kale and spinach samples had 1.1 to 1.8 times as much pesticide residue by weight than any other crop tested.
SOLUTION:
“Toss” your toxic dirty dozen produce and replace with the organic version
OR
if you are unable to buy organic you can make your own fruit & veggie wash using water & white distilled vinegar:
1) place your produce in a large bowl (or the sink) and fill it with enough water to cover the produce
2) add 1 cup of white, distilled vinegar – soak for 20 minutes
3) rinse produce well and dry well before storing
When shopping for produce pay attention to the plu code:
*regular, conventionally grown produce —> four-digit code and begins with a 3 or 4
*organic produce —> five-digit code and begins with a 9
*genetically modified produce —> five digit code and begins with an 8
See you tomorrow for Day 5!
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