Worried about Pesticides in those Fruits and Veggies?

Information from the Environmental Working Group (EWG): June 2011

The health benefits of a diet rich in fruits and vegetables outweigh the risks of pesticide exposure. Use EWG’s Shopper’s Guide to Pesticides to reduce your exposures as much as possible. Eating conventionally-grown produce is far better than not eating fruits and vegetables at all. The Shopper’s Guide to Pesticide in Produce will help you determine which fruits and vegetables have the most pesticide residues and are the most important to buy organic. You can decrease your pesticide intake substantially by buying  the 12 most contaminated fruits and vegetables in organic.  Remember ALL fruits and veggies should be rinsed in running water (rubbing lightly) for 20 seconds.  This will help decrease pesticide residue. 

The Full List: 53 Fruits and Veggies

EWG analyzed pesticide residue testing data from the US Department of Agriculture and Food and Drug Administration to come up with rankings for these popular fresh produce items.
Lower numbers = more pesticides.