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To Buy, or Not to Buy? ORGANIC is the Question...

Have you ever… walked into the grocery store produce section and wondered… Organic? Non-organic? Does it matter? Should I buy organic? Or should I buy non-organic, like I usually do? What are the benefits of buying “Organic”?

Whether or not you’ve questioned this organic vs. non-organic phenomenon, we compiled a list based on our research and as a reference point for how we select our fruits and vegetables that we use in our tasty treats and own home.

What does Organic mean?

Deciding between organic and non-organic produce can sometimes be confusing… What even is organic produce in the first place?

The Basics

When you decide to buy organic produce, you’ve made the decision to buy an item that has been grown without the use of pesticides and genetically modified organisms (GMOs). In case you didn’t know, pesticides are poisons; poison = toxic = bad for you.

There are three categories of organic labeling that you’ll see:

  1. 100% Organic

  2. Organic: at least 95% organic

  3. Made with Organic Ingredients: at least 70% organic

Find out more about organic product labeling here (USDA Labeling Organic Products Fact Sheet).

More information about Organic Foods at Organic.org.

The Dirty Dozen and The Clean Fifteen

If you’ve ever wondered when to buy, or not to buy, organic fruits and vegetables, then you’ve probably heard of “The Dirty Dozen” and “The Clean Fifteen.” If you haven’t, read below to find out more!

What is The Dirty Dozen and The Clean Fifteen?

Let’s start with the Dirty Dozen… since well, that’s what really matters!

Created by the Environmental Working Group (EWG), a non-profit organization, The Dirty Dozen is a list of the top 12 fruits and vegetables that contain the highest level of residual pesticides.

The Dirty Dozen (2019) - Buy organic

  1. Strawberries

  2. Spinach

  3. Kale

  4. Nectarines

  5. Apples

  6. Grapes

  7. Peaches

  8. Cherries

  9. Pears

  10. Tomatoes

  11. Celery

  12. Potatoes

This list also includes Hot Peppers as well. You can find the complete Dirty Dozen list (with pictures for those who enjoy visuals), on the EWG website here.

As for the Clean Fifteen…

More than 70% of the following fruits and vegetables on the list had no pesticide residues. No pesticides = no poison = good for you!

The Clean Fifteen (2019) - OK to buy non-organic/conventional

  1. Avocados

  2. Sweet Corn*

  3. Pineapples

  4. Sweet Peas Frozen

  5. Onions

  6. Papayas*

  7. Eggplants

  8. Asparagus

  9. Kiwis

  10. Cabbages

  11. Cauliflower

  12. Cantaloupes

  13. Broccoli

  14. Mushrooms

  15. Honeydew Melons

*These items are starred because it’s recommended to buy organic if you want to aHvoid genetically modified produce. According to the EWG website, “A small amount of sweet corn, papaya and summer squash sold in the United States is produced from genetically modified seeds.”

You can find the complete Clean Fifteen list on the EWG website here.

You can find the complete Shopper’s Guide to Pesticides in Produce on the EWG website here. The Dirty Dozen and Clean Fifteen are derived from the complete list.

So… To Buy, or Not to Buy?

At the end of the day, the decision is up to you - whether or not you decide to buy organic products or not. But we suggest buying organic when it comes to produce listed on the Dirty Dozen.

As an added precaution, always wash your fruits and veggies before you decide to use them!

You can read more about ways to wash your produce and why you should on Natural Living Ideas’ website here.