The Dirty Dozen and The Clean Fifteen

The Environmental Working Group compiled 2011's lists of The Dirty Dozen and The Clean Fifteen.  They used data from the USDA to analyze pesticides in produce.

The lists are a little different than last year -- for instance, cherries dropped off The Dirty Dozen, but now lettuce is there.

Here's The Dirty Dozen, which are fruits and vegetables with the highest pesticide residue:

1. Apples 
2. Celery 
3. Strawberries 
4. Peaches 
5. Spinach 
6. Nectarines (imported) 
7. Grapes (imported) 
8. Sweet bell peppers 
9. Potatoes 
10. Blueberries (domestic)
11. Lettuce 
12. Kale/collard greens

Kind of disheartening...BUT, here's the good news:  below are The Clean Fifteen. These fruits and veggies have the lowest levels of pesticides so you don't have to spend extra money on the organic.

1. Onions 
2. Sweet corn 
3. Pineapples 
4. Avocado 
5. Asparagus 
6. Sweet peas 
7. Mangoes
8. Eggplants 
9. Cantaloupe (domestic) 
10. Kiwi 
11. Cabbage 
12. Watermelon 
13. Sweet potatoes 
14. Grapefruit 
15. Mushrooms