Produce With The Highest And Lowest Pesticides

It seems we're all watching what we eat these days.That means looking for foods that are low in fat and calories and high in vitamins and antioxidants.

Fruits and vegetables usually fit the bill quite easily, but an environmental watchdog group has issued a new report saying some are better than others when it comes to the amount of pesticides they may include.

At the top of the list among those referred to as the "dirty dozen" are apples, celery, peppers, peaches and strawberries. These are the foods that, when tested, have the highest amount of pesticides.

If you're on a limited budget, the Environmental Working Group says these are the fruits and vegetables it's worth spending a little extra on to purchase the organic variety.

The fruits and vegetables with the least amount of pesticide residue make the list referred to as the "clean 15." Among the top ten are: onions, sweet corn, pineapples, avocado and cabbage. Sweet peas also make the list of foods that are okay to buy in their conventional form. You'll also find asparagus, mangoes, eggplant, and kiwi among the cut.

The Environmental Working Group says the lists are meant as guides to help you spend your dollar wisely in the produce section.

Click here to check out the complete list of both the dirty dozen and clean 15 foods.