The Dirty Dozen & Clean Fifteen Produce Cheat Sheet

Hey, what happened to bananas? They were on the clean list forever! And unfortunately, bananas are about the only produce I can ever find organic at my small town grocery store. Occasionally strawberries. And baby-cut carrots, but not regular carrots. That’s seriously my entire organic selection.

Hey, what happened to bananas? They were on the clean list forever! And unfortunately, bananas are about the only produce I can ever find organic at my small town grocery store. Occasionally strawberries. And baby-cut carrots, but not regular carrots. That’s seriously my entire organic selection.

I am just taking baby steps into the organic world, so pardon my ignorance are the dirty dozen the ones I WANT to buy organic?

I am just taking baby steps into the organic world, so pardon my ignorance are the dirty dozen the ones I WANT to buy organic?

Hey Danisa! Yes, the dirty ones are the ones you want to buy organic. I guess I should have said that, huh?!

Hey Danisa! Yes, the dirty ones are the ones you want to buy organic. I guess I should have said that, huh?!

I know! They change the list, but they don’t say what to do about the ones they take off. I’ve actually heard that bananas should be purchased organically because the skin is porous…I think!

I know! They change the list, but they don’t say what to do about the ones they take off. I’ve actually heard that bananas should be purchased organically because the skin is porous…I think!

I thought bananas are okay to buy non-organic?! I heard because the banana peel is so thick. lol! Maybe I should actually look that one up for myself. I’m surprised cabbage and kale are on the clean list. I kind of think they would be like spinach. What about regular lettuce?

I thought bananas are okay to buy non-organic?! I heard because the banana peel is so thick. lol! Maybe I should actually look that one up for myself. I’m surprised cabbage and kale are on the clean list. I kind of think they would be like spinach. What about regular lettuce?

Kale’s actually on the dirty list. I think if it’s not on either list, it’s neither good nor bad?

I googled organic bananas, and here’s what I found:

Organic bananas should also be on your list. Bananas are typically grown with one of the highest pesticide loads of any tropical crop. Although bananas present little risk of pesticide ingestion to the consumer, the environment where they are grown is heavily contaminated.

So, I guess from a health perspective, conventional is okay, but from an environmental one, organic is better!

Kale’s actually on the dirty list. I think if it’s not on either list, it’s neither good nor bad?

I googled organic bananas, and here’s what I found:

Organic bananas should also be on your list. Bananas are typically grown with one of the highest pesticide loads of any tropical crop. Although bananas present little risk of pesticide ingestion to the consumer, the environment where they are grown is heavily contaminated.

So, I guess from a health perspective, conventional is okay, but from an environmental one, organic is better!

Oops, the link is here: http://www.nytimes.com/2008/03/30/opinion/30stutchbury.html?_r=1

Oops, the link is here: http://www.nytimes.com/2008/03/30/opinion/30stutchbury.html?_r=1

I’ve heard raspberries should be organic as well. Any info on that? Just wondering. I’m kinda new to organic eating.
AmyRuth

I’ve heard raspberries should be organic as well. Any info on that? Just wondering. I’m kinda new to organic eating.
AmyRuth

I’m a “Plan To Eat” user and under the popular/pantry list and then under the produce section, I added each of the dirty and clean produce and put a * next to each “dirty” item to let me know to try to buy those organic. Thanks for sharing the updated 2010 list!

I’m a “Plan To Eat” user and under the popular/pantry list and then under the produce section, I added each of the dirty and clean produce and put a * next to each “dirty” item to let me know to try to buy those organic. Thanks for sharing the updated 2010 list!

This is such a great idea, Laura — would you mind if I post about it on the Plan to Eat blog?

This is such a great idea, Laura — would you mind if I post about it on the Plan to Eat blog?

I am very familiar with the dirty dozen list…however we can afford to buy all organic…so for example – grapes – I soak them in water and baking soda to clean off any pesticides…baking soda is a natural substance so I don’t have to worry about eating a chemical cleaning agent…lol!

I am very familiar with the dirty dozen list…however we can afford to buy all organic…so for example – grapes – I soak them in water and baking soda to clean off any pesticides…baking soda is a natural substance so I don’t have to worry about eating a chemical cleaning agent…lol!

Ooh, what a great natural produce wash, Brittany! I think that the pesticides used on the dirty dozen absorb into the fruit and can’t be washed off (which is why they’re on the dirty dozen list), though.

Ooh, what a great natural produce wash, Brittany! I think that the pesticides used on the dirty dozen absorb into the fruit and can’t be washed off (which is why they’re on the dirty dozen list), though.

Booo, thanks for bursting my bubble

Booo, thanks for bursting my bubble

I try to keep track of both of these lists, but it isn’t easy when the guidelines changes. Thanks for this handy cheatsheet – it is going to be one less thing I have to try to remember now

I try to keep track of both of these lists, but it isn’t easy when the guidelines changes. Thanks for this handy cheatsheet – it is going to be one less thing I have to try to remember now

Not at all!

Not at all!

Tried to download the cheat sheet, and the text isn’t showing up. HELP!!!

Tried to download the cheat sheet, and the text isn’t showing up. HELP!!!

If anyone is interested to see the changes from last year to this year (although I can’t speak to WHY they happen), I noted them here: http://www.kitchenstewardship.com/2010/04/29/2010-dirty-dozen-produce-list-released-by-the-ewg/
Thanks for the download! Very cool.
Katie

If anyone is interested to see the changes from last year to this year (although I can’t speak to WHY they happen), I noted them here: http://www.kitchenstewardship.com/2010/04/29/2010-dirty-dozen-produce-list-released-by-the-ewg/
Thanks for the download! Very cool.
Katie

Hmm, Amanda — I have no idea why it’s not working, but I’m going to respond to your comment by email and attach a copy for you!

If this happens to anyone else, just let me know!

Hmm, Amanda — I have no idea why it’s not working, but I’m going to respond to your comment by email and attach a copy for you!

If this happens to anyone else, just let me know!

Thank you Danisa – I had the same question!

Thank you Danisa – I had the same question!

Thanks Jeff! Great list! I’ve learned that I’m a failure-averse person, and as such often waste too much time “getting it just right” before I’ll take that leap. I also like your points about creating luck. It’s important to give credit to our own intuition and that divine spark inside all of us, and to recognize the blessings in our lives often disguised as “chance”.

Amanda, I think all successful people are a little failure-averse. We want to succeed. That’s why it is so important to give yourself permission to be crappy at something to begin with. Who knows, if you do, you might just get lucky and win big!

ALL berries should be organic, since we eat their skins and they are especially hard to clean. Ever tried scrubbing a raspberry?

ALL berries should be organic, since we eat their skins and they are especially hard to clean. Ever tried scrubbing a raspberry?

Jeff,
These are some awesome guidelines for working towards success. So many people don’t realize that THEY have quite a bit of control over whether they succeed in life, or just settle!
Bernice

Bernice, I think that simply realizing the amount of control we have is extremely powerful. Settling won’t get you a thing. Life only gives up what you fight it to get. Thanks for the comment!

Does anybody know if medjool dates are o.k. to buy non organic?

The text isn’t showing up for me either (I’m a Mac user and used the Mac download link). Thanks. =D

It’s odd to me that 7 of the items in the dirty list are items we grow and don’t need to use any pesticides at all. No pest problems at all–even celery! Some of the items in the clean list are those I have trouble growing without some sort of pesticide, even if it’s organic: cabbage, watermelon, eggplant.

holy crap thanks for the tips, you should really consider writing a book about something like this little blog since your so insightful, i would pick it up and read it any day personally! Thanks for the tips…

sorry nevermind, already see you have

[...] Here’s a great printable pocket guide for the Dirty Dozen and Clean 15. [...]

[...] grocery item:Will this food/supplement/product improve my health?If it’s produce, is it on the dirty dozen or clean dozen list? This list is put out by the environmental working group and lists the best produce to buy organic [...]

I downloaded the list but it is showing up without text! Is there a way you can email me a copy? Thanks!

[...] makes more room in my budget to buy organic apples, grapes, and other thin skinned fruit. Here is a list of the Dirty Dozen and Clean Fifteen to help you prioritize which items you buy [...]