Clean 15 and Dirty Dozen: Decoding the Key to Smart Produce Shopping 🍏

Clean 15 and Dirty Dozen: Decoding the Key to Smart Produce Shopping 🍏

Hi Fierce Fam!

Today, we're going to unlock the secrets behind the Clean 15 and Dirty Dozen, two essential lists that will revolutionize the way you shop for fruits and vegetables.

Whether you're striving to reduce pesticide exposure or simply looking for ways to optimize your nutrition, these lists hold the key to informed produce choices! 🛒

Understanding the Clean 15 and Dirty Dozen 🍅🍎

The Clean 15 and Dirty Dozen are annual reports published by the Environmental Working Group (EWG), a nonprofit organization dedicated to environmental health research.

These lists rank fruits and vegetables based on their pesticide residue levels, providing us consumers with valuable information to make conscious decisions about their produce purchases. 💚

Dirty Dozen: This list highlights the 12 fruits and vegetables with the highest pesticide residue levels. These items are often recommended to be purchased organic to minimize exposure to potentially harmful chemicals.

The 2023 Dirty Dozen list: 

Strawberries

Spinach

Kale, Collard Greens, Mustard Greens

Nectarines

Peaches

Pears

Nectarines

Apples

Grapes

Bell & hot peppers

Cherries

Blueberries

Green Beans

Apples

Clean 15: On the other hand, the Clean 15 showcases the 15 fruits and vegetables with the lowest pesticide residue levels. Buying conventional versions of these items is considered safe, making them budget-friendly choices for those looking to minimize their grocery expenses.

The 2023 Clean 15:

Avocados

Sweet corn

Pineapple

Onion

Papayas

Sweet peas (frozen)

Asparagus

Honeydew melon

Kiwi

Cabbage

Mushrooms

Mangoes

Sweet Potato

Watermelon

Carrots

Making Informed Produce Choices 🍆🍓

By referring to the Clean 15 and Dirty Dozen lists, you can prioritize organic purchases for the fruits and vegetables that typically have higher pesticide residue levels while feeling confident about buying conventional options from the Clean 15 list. This knowledge empowers you to optimize your grocery budget without compromising on your health and well-being! 🛒🍅

Beyond the Lists: Tips for Safer Produce Shopping 🛍️🥦

While the Clean 15 and Dirty Dozen offer valuable insights, there are additional steps you can take to ensure safer produce shopping:

🌱 Wash and Peel: Thoroughly wash all produce, even those from the Clean 15 list, to remove surface pesticides and contaminants. Consider peeling when possible, as this reduces exposure even further.

🌱 Buy Local and Seasonal: Opt for local and seasonal produce whenever possible, as they are often fresher and may have fewer chemicals due to reduced transportation and storage time.

🌱 Support Organic: Supporting organic farming practices not only benefits your health but also promotes sustainable and environmentally friendly agriculture.

🌱 Grow Your Own: Consider growing some of your favorite fruits and vegetables at home, ensuring complete control over the growing process and reducing pesticide exposure.

Here at Fierce Fuel, we're always making sure to use only the Clean 15 ingredients and where possible organic for everything as it's our priority to do the best by our customer's. 

As always, if you have any questions or would like to chat about how my range of healthy ready meals can help with your lifestyle, just reach out anytime. 

Clare