1. Apples - Tops the dirty dozen list. More than 40 different pesticides have been detected on apples, because fungus and insect threats prompt farmers to spray various chemicals on their orchards. Not surprisingly, pesticide residue is also found in apple juice and apple sauce, making all apple products smart foods to buy organic.
2. Celery - Another perennial food on the dirty dozen list is celery. USDA tests have found more than 60 different pesticides on celery.
Can't find organic celery? Safer alternatives with a similar crunch include broccoli, radishes and onions.
3. Strawberries - Strawberries are always on the list of dirty dozen foods, in part because fungus prompts farmers to spray, and pesticide residue remains on berries sold at market. Nearly 60 different pesticides have been found on strawberries, though fewer are found on frozen strawberries.
Can't find organic strawberries? Safer alternatives include kiwi and pineapples.
4. Peaches - More than 60 pesticides have been found on peaches, but far fewer in canned peaches.
Safer alternatives include watermelon, tangerines, oranges and grapefruit.
5. Spinach - Leading the leafy green pesticide residue category is spinach, with nearly 50 different pesticides. While frozen spinach has nearly as many, canned has had fewer detected pesticides.
6. Nectarines (imported) - Nectarines, at least imported ones, are among the most highly contaminated tree fruits. Domestic nectarines do not test with as much pesticide residue, but overall 33 pesticides have been detected on nectarines.
Can't find organic nectarines? Try pineapple, papaya or mango.
7. Grapes (imported) - Imported grapes can have more than 30 pesticides. Raisins, not surprisingly, also have high pesticide residue tests. Makes you wonder about wine, eh?
8. Sweet Bell Peppers - tends to have high pesticide residue. Nearly 50 different pesticides have been detected on sweet bell peppers.
9. White Potatoes - America's favorite vegetable is the potato; unfortunately, more than 35 pesticides have been detected on potatoes in USDA testing. Sweet potatoes offer a delicious alternative with less chance of pesticide residue.
10. Blueberries - More than 50 pesticides have been detected as residue on them. Frozen blueberries have proved somewhat less contaminated. Unfortunately, obvious alternatives like cranberries and cherries, while they may not make the dirty dozen list, are often contaminated themselves. For breakfast cereal, if you can't find organic blueberries, consider topping with bananas.
11. Lettuce - Joining spinach in the leafy greens category, lettuce makes the list of dirty dozen foods with the most pesticides. More than 50 pesticides have been identified on lettuce. If you can't find organic lettuce, alternatives include asparagus.
12. Kale - A superfood, traditionally kale is known as a hardier vegetable that rarely suffers from pests and disease, but it was found to have high amounts of pesticide residue when tested in each of the past two years.
Can't find organic kale? Safer alternatives include cabbage, asparagus and broccoli. Dandelion greens also make a nutritious alternative.
Collard Greens - Put on par with kale for the dirty dozen list, collard greens tests have revealed more than 45 pesticides. Alternatives include Brussels sprouts, dandelion greens and cabbage.
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