The Environmental Working Group (EWG) has come out with an updated list of the dirty dozen crops that contain the highest levels of pesticides. The top five are celery, peaches, strawberries, apples, and making its terrifying EWG produce-list debut blueberries.
It s an absolute tragedy that this group is trying to scare people away from eating fruits and vegetables, says Dr. Whelan. It s irresponsible and unacceptable.
These high levels of pesticides are based on EWG s unique method of measuring such tiny pesticide residues, notes Dr. Ross. Of course, they advise not to buy these items, or if you do, to buy only organic. Consumers have to make a decision to buy more expensive organic fruits and veggies or ignore EWG s alarmism about trace levels of pesticides and buy cheaper, conventionally grown produce that is in every measure as beneficial as organic. I would suggest that they eat an apple a day to keep EWG away.
Stier, an avid gardener who brings blueberries from a U-pick farm back to the office every July, adds, Rather than picking on blueberries, EWG should join me in simply picking the blueberries.