Dirty Dozen vs. Clean Fifteen

"Dirty Dozen Plus" have the highest pesticide load, making them the most important to buy organic, or grow organically yourself.

This year's list: apples, strawberries, grapes, celery, peaches, spinach (includes leafy greens such as kale and collards too), sweet bell peppers, nectarines (imported), cucumbers, cherry tomatoes, snap peas (imported), potatoes, PLUS hot peppers and blueberries (domestic), which may contain highly toxic organophosphate insecticides.

"Clean Fifteen" contain the lowest levels of pesticides.

They are: avocados, sweet corn, pineapples, cabbage, sweet peas, onions, asparagus, mangoes, papayas, kiwi, eggplant, grapefruit, cantaloupe (domestic), cauliflower, sweet potatoes.

Keep in mind that pesticide and herbicide use also contaminates groundwater, ruins soil structure and promotes erosion, and may be a contributor to the mysterious die-off of pollinating honeybees that threatens the American food supply. Buying or growing organic food is good for the health of the planet - and it tastes better