Clean fifteen and Dirty Dozen

 CLEAN FIFTEEN AND DIRTY DOZEN

Clean fifteen: These are produce considered to have low pesticide residues 

Dirty Dozen: These are produce considered to have high pesticide residues/ contamination.

In today's world, where pesticides are increasingly being used. There have been some studies that found a link between these pesticide residues in foods and some health issues such as cancer. Due to these studies, people are becoming more cautious about their food choices, targeting foods with fewer pesticide residues.

When making choices, the best and healthier option is always going for organic foods ( These are grown without synthetic herbicides, pesticides, fertilizers, or GMOs). However, they are costly and unable to be afforded by some individuals.

Therefore, in case affording organic foods becomes tricky, it is better to aim for less contaminated foods or those that contain fewer pesticide residue percentages (Known as clean fifteen ), instead of the dirty dozen, those that are highly contaminated(contain a high residue percentages).

SCIENCE BEHIND

What happens after the pesticide treatment of fruits and vegetables.

This is due to bioaccumulation

Bioaccumulation is the accumulation of substances such as pesticides in an organism. This happens when these substances are taken up, and stored faster than they are broken down or excreted. 

It is in this manner that when pesticides are applied to these foods, some pesticides adhere to the leaves' surfaces, while others get absorbed into the plant tissues through penetration. 

Washing these foods after the harvest might minimize the pesticide residues, However those that remain get ingested by humans and absorbed into their bodies. Since they are hardly metabolized by our bodies, the body stores them in the fatty tissues, where over the years they accumulate leading to health issues such as cancer. 

Below I will list  those foods that are classified as dirty dozen and clean fifteen to help us make informed decisions

Dirty dozen when grown conventionally ( high pesticide contamination)

  1. Strawberries

  2. Spinach

  3. Kale, Collard & Mustard Greens

  4. Grapes

  5. Peaches

  6. Pears

  7. Nectarines

  8. Apples

  9. Bell and Hot Peppers

  10. Cherries

  11. Blueberries

  12. Green Beans



Clean  fifteen ( fewer pesticide contamination)

  • Avocados

  • Sweet corn

  • Pineapples

  • Onions

  • Papaya

  • Sweat peas

  • Asparagus

  • Honeydew Melon

  • Kiwi fruit

  • Cabbage

  • Watermelon

  • Mushroom

  • Mangoes

  • Sweet potatoes




However, some studies show that some techniques can be carried out to minimize some residues in these foods. 

These include:

  • Washing while scrubbing 

  • Peeling

  • Cooking 


Last Takeaways

  • Pesticide residues are linked to some health issues such as Cancer
  • Better go for organic foods
  • If not possible, try those that contain few residues.
  • But, if all options fail, you can get those non-organic foods, wash them well, peel them if possible, and cook them to minimize these pesticide residues’s health risks.

Written by Carine Mushimiyimana
Contributors: Justus Mugabo & Hyguette Irambona



References

National Pesticide Information Center. (n.d.). Minimizing pesticide residues in food. 

https://npic.orst.edu/health/foodprac.html

Robbins, O. (2024, April 9). The Dirty Dozen & clean fifteen: The most & least pesticide-contaminated fruits and vegetables. Edamam.com. 

https://foodrevolution.org/blog/dirty-dozen-clean-fifteen/

Robinson, L. (2022, November 22). Organic foods: What you need to know. HelpGuide.org. 

https://www.helpguide.org/articles/healthy-eating/organic-foods.htm

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