Boardman dietitian offers tips to protect kids from pesticides on the 'Dirty Dozen'
Fruits and vegetables may be the health food alternative, but they still carry their own risk. Unseen pesticides and synthetic fertilizers can remain on the produce even after it's been clean.
BOARDMAN TWP., Ohio - Fruits and vegetables may be the health food alternative, but they still carry their own risk.
Unseen pesticides and synthetic fertilizers can remain on the produce even after it's been clean.
The Environmental Working Group, a non-profit organization, recently published their "Dirty Dozen" and "Clean 15" lists. The Dirty Dozen list names the twelve fruits and vegetables that had the highest amounts of pesticide residue.
That list, the Dirty Dozen, includes:
1. Strawberries
2. Spinach
3. Kale
4. Nectarines
5. Apples
6. Grapes
7. Peaches
8. Cherries
9. Pears
10. Tomatoes
11. Celery
12. Potatoes
Meanwhile, the Clean Fifteen is listed as:
1. Avocados
2. Sweet Corn
3. Pineapples
4. Sweet Peas Frozen
5. Onions
6. Papayas
7. Eggplants
8. Asparagus
9. Kiwis
10. Cabbages
11. Cauliflower
12. Cantaloupes
13. Broccoli
14. Mushrooms
15. Honeydew Melons
Kathleen Durkin, a clinical dietitian at Akron Children's Hospital in Boardman, said that while the list names produce with higher levels or residue, the foods are not above national guidelines.
"That level isn't necessarily considered toxic or unsafe, it's just food's that have a higher level, so there are two catchy names, the Clean Fifteen and the Dirty Dozen. So what you probably want to do more often is choose from the Clean Fifteen versus the Dirty Dozen," Durkin explained.
Children, particularly, are at risk for negative side effects when exposed to pesticides in large quantities.
"Children would be more sensitive to the pesticides or the synthetic fertilizers because they're still developing. nerve toxicity would be more likely because of their brain development," said Durkin.
But Durkin says that doesn't mean families should steer clear of the twelve fruits and vegetables on the Dirty Dozen list.
"There would be a higher risk from avoiding them, than from eating them," she said. "it's just again, a time to remember that those might have a higher amount and to choose an organic food."
One option for families is to choose organic produce, which typically has to meet higher standards than most fruits and vegetables.
Durkin explained, saying: "It all depends on where the food is grown. So if you're going to choose organic, remember that organic has to meet certain standards. In particular, not being grown on soil that has had any banned fertilizers or pesticides in the last three years prior to the food being harvested."
And while picking locally grown food is a good idea, Durkin said it won't necessarily impact the number of pesticides.
"So if you choose locally it might be better in the sense that it's less time since it was grown, and it's distributed. but that doesn't necessarily mean that it has met all of the organic standards," she said.
"I don't think there's anything you can do to it after it's grown to make it healthier. What's there is there, maybe there's a risk for pesticide residue, and or contamination from handling, " Durkin explained.
"It's interesting to note that these foods were tested after they were cleaned, cleaned and peeled, so you still have some of the risks of absorbing the pesticide residue, but you still can use something like a mixture of distilled white vinegar and water."
Even when choosing organic, or locally grown produce, eliminating any debris or soil from the fruits and vegetables can still go a long way toward making it a healthier snack.
Durkin recommends using a colander to thoroughly rinse foods like berries and grapes.
Leafy greens like lettuce, spinach, and kale, should be thoroughly cleaned inside and out, not just the outer layer. Durkin recommends cleaning each layer and then drying them off.
Harder produce, such as potatoes and apples should be scrubbed with a small brush to knock loose any remaining dirt or grime.
For an added benefit, Durkin recommends washing produce in a mixture of about four parts water and one part distilled white vinegar.
From there, thoroughly dry the fruit or vegetable and store it so that it won't grow mold.
Overall, Durkin says it is important to remember that all of the fruits and vegetables are safe. She says that parents can use the Dirty Dozen and Clean Fifteen lists as an opportunity to think about their grocery shopping, "What do we have a lot of? What do we not have that much of? What can I buy organic?"
And even if a fruit or vegetable isn't on the Dirty Dozen list, Durkin says it's important to take time to clean them all.
"Think about all of the food outbreaks that you hear about, the lettuce outbreaks, the romaine lettuce, it's mostly because of what's contaminated, so removing that out, outer casing and getting into getting any of that visible stuff off," she said.
More information about the Dirty Dozen and the Clean Fifteen can be found on the Environmental Working Group's website.
