ecoPharmacist

Supplemental Info

The recent article I did on the Environmental Working Group’s list of The Dirty Dozen, Plus, has kept my mind focused on organics and what to buy at the store. I came across some supplemental info that I thought could be helpful for those of us that want to make sure we are eating safe and organic. I received a handy pocket reference guide from the Environmental Working Group, and I thought I would share it. Its good to have a reminder of how to keep our food safe. It has come in handy as a conversation starter with the kids while shopping and even strangers who see us referring to it while shopping. Makes me feel proud, when I see my kids reach for organic foods. I’m simply teaching them about how to care more for themselves…it feels good. The things they learn now, can only make their futures, and lives better.

 

 

 

 

Risk of Pesticide Exposure

 

Consumer Report also took into account the typical serving size of the food and the weight of the person eating that food. Their analysis is based on the risk to a 3½-year-old child, estimated to weigh 35.2 pounds, because children are especially vulnerable to the dietary risks from pesticides and the EPA is required to consider the effects of pesticides on children. The risks to adults would be lower.

 

By law, supermarkets are required to tell consumers where the fruits and vegetables they’re buying were grown. It’s usually not difficult to find the country of origin, but that information is not always in the same place. You can locate the country of origin on the fruit stickers, on the packaging of certain fruits or vegetables bagged apples or containers of mushrooms, for instance), signs posted near the produce or the box the produce was shipped in.”

 

Here is a summary of Consumer Report’s findings on which country’s produce tested at low risk for pesticides. This list shows which country’s you should look for on the stickers or labels of produce. They tested lowest for pesticides:

 

Apples: New Zealand

Applesauce: Canada, U.S.

Asparagus: Mexico, U.S.

Avocados: Chili, Mexico, Peru

Bananas: Columbia, Costs Rica, Equador, Guatemala, Honduraas, Mexico

Blueberries: Argentina, Canada, Chile, Uruguay, U.S.

Broccoli: Mexico. U.S.

Cabbage:  Canada, Mexico, U.S.

Cantaloupe: Costa Rica, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico

Carrots: Look for Organic

Cauliflower: Mexico, U.S.

Celery: Mexico

Cherries: U.S.

Cherry tomatoes: U.S.

Cilantro: Mexico, U.S.

Collard Greens: U.S.

Corn: Mexico, U.S.

Cranberries: Look for Organic

Cucumbers: Canada

Eggplant: Honduras, U.S.

Grapefruit: U.S.

Grapes: Chile, Mexico, Peru, U.S.

Green Beans: Look for Organic

Green Onions: Mexico, U.S.

Hot Peppers: Look for Organic

Kale: Mexico

Lettuce: Mexico, U.S.

Mangoes: Guatemala, Mexico

Mushrooms: Canada, U.S.

Nectarines: Look for Organic

Onions: Peru, U.S.

Oranges: Chile, South Africa, U.S.

Papayas: Belize, Brazil, Guatemala, Jamaica, Mexico, U.S.

Peaches: Look for Organic

Canned Peaches: Greece, South Africa, U.S.

Pears, Argentina, U.S.

Pineapple: Costa Rica, Ecuador, Mexico, U.S.

Plums: U.S.

Potatoes: Canada

Prunes: U.S.

Raisins:  U.S.

Raspberries: Mexico, U.S.

Snap Peas: Mexico, U.S

Spinach: Mexico, U.S.

Strawberries: Look for Organic

Summer Squash: Mexico

Sweet Bell Peppers: Look for Organic

Sweet Potatoes: Look For Organic

Tangerines: Look For Organic

Tomatoes: Canada

Watermelon: Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, U.S.

Winter Squash: Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico