Dirty Dozen – Fruits and Vegetables You Need to Clean Before You Eat
Spring and Summer. The two seasons that attract hundreds of people to markets to purchase fruits and vegetables. We all know that you are supposed to eat several servings of both each day in order to stay healthy. But what you may not know is that while the fruits and vegetables look so good on display, many of them have been sprayed with chemicals not only to ward off pests and other problems, but helps them to keep a fairly long shelf life.
Recently the Environmental Working Group or EWG came out with their list of the Dirty Dozen plus of fruits and vegetables that need to be thoroughly cleaned prior to consumption.
Apples lead the list once again followed by Celery and Cherry tomatoes. Cucumbers, Grapes, Hot peppers, Sweet bell peppers, Kale / Collard greens, Strawberries, Spinach, Potatoes, Peaches and Nectarines (imported.)
Each on of the on the list were planted and harvested on farms that used chemicals during the growing cycle and were found to have traces of the most toxic pesticides. Many of which have been banned by the FDA.
Bottom line is this, when you are cooking with any fruits and vegetables, wash thoroughly. This will decrease you or your dinner guests from becoming ill.
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