Follow Up on the Dirty Dozen Pesticide Issue

There has been so much in the news lately about pesticide exposure - this hot topic has picked up press lately because of the release of the Dirty Dozen, the list of fruits and vegetables that had the highest levels of pesticide residue in one study. http://www.ewg.org/foodnews/

Public Health experts are battling back a bit by saying that the pesticide residue levels were still within safe limits and that data are lacking to show that pesticide exposure from fruits and vegetables is linked to any medical problem. http://latimes.com/health/ct-x-0622-health-pesticide-20110622,0,6385683.story The group that published the Dirty Dozen information says that the levels of pesticide residue are below established limits but that doesn't make them safe.

What is my take on the situation?

• Wash all your produce vigorously - if it makes you feel better, peel the fruit that is high on the list of the Dirty Dozen (apples, for example)


• Do NOT use the Dirty Dozen list as an excuse to eat fewer fruits and veggies - that is ridiculous! The vast majority of us do not eat enough fruit or vegetable and we need to make them a high priority in our diets.


• If pesticides freak you out, purchase organic fruits and vegetables.


• Look at the big picture: if you have the choice between a conventionally grown fruit and a candy bar, which do you think is the better choice? (please tell me that you know that it's the fruit!)

New Focus for Summer and The Dirty Dozen

Since summertime is a bit different here at UC San Diego - there are fewer university students and more conference guests staying on campus - I have decided to switch the focus of this blog for the summer. Instead of a totally campus-focused blog, I will post about a more wide range of nutrition topics - current events, hot topics, questions I'm frequently asked, etc.

Here goes!

Have you heard about the recent press release regarding the "Dirty Dozen" of fruits and vegetables that contain a high level of pesticide residue? The report is published by the Environmental Working Group reveals this list of the dirty dozen for 2011:

1. Apples
2. Celery
3. Strawberries
4. Peaches
5. Spinach
6. Nectarines (imported)
7. Grapes (imported)
8. Sweet bell peppers
9. Potatoes
10. Blueberries (domestic)
11. Lettuce
12. Kale/collard greens

For more information and for a list of the Clean Fifteen (fruits and veggies with the lowest pesticide residues), click http://shine.yahoo.com/event/green/the-new-quot-dirty-dozen-quot-list-of-produce-2496191/