Beyond the Dirty Dozen: Strategies to Defend Against Pesticides & GMOs

When shopping for fresh fruits and veggies, use the Dirty Dozen and Clean Fifteen lists from The Environmental Working Group as your roadmap.

These annual guides name 12 crops (non-organic) most likely to have the highest levels of pesticides and 15 ones considered to have the lowest levels.

For 2024, strawberries again took the top spot on the Dirty Dozen list. EWG researchers detected 22 different pesticides in one strawberry sample! Blueberries and green beans were added to the list — residues of acephate, a toxic pesticide banned by the EPA over 10 years ago, have been found in green beans.

The data are based on testing done at the Department of Agriculture (USDA) and Food and Drug Administration (FDA). At the USDA, produce samples are washed, peeled, and scrubbed prior to testing; however, the FDA only removes dirt beforehand. Even with that, traces of 251 different pesticides were present.

Even after washing, removing dirt, scrubbing, and/or peeling, these fruits and vegetables had the highest percentages of pesticide residue. EWG researchers recommend avoiding non-organic versions of these foods — you can still enjoy them but buy the organic versions.

1. Strawberries  

1.With lower levels of pesticide residue, these fruits and vegetables (non-organic) pose less of a risk to your health than the Dirty Dozen foods. Keep in mind that the USDA does not test for every pesticide used in farming — this includes the weed killer glyphosate. To minimize your exposure to glyphosate, go 100% organic (glyphosate is not allowed to be used at certified organic farms).

1. Sweet corn* 

Washing your produce can help cut down your exposure to some pesticides, but not the most popular one — glyphosate. This ubiquitous weed killer is not just on the outside of plants — it is absorbed into plants — and glyphosate contamination cannot be removed by washing or eliminated by cooking or baking.

Even still, you can use a homemade pesticide wash to rinse off other toxins in fresh fruits and veggies: Mix 1 cup water, 1 cup white vinegar, 1 tablespoon of baking soda, and ⁄ organic lemon juice in a spray bottle. Spray produce and let it sit for 5 minutes before rinsing thoroughly. 

Even though Bayer (owner of Roundup) is removing glyphosate-based weed killers from the U.S. residential lawn and garden within the coming year because of glyphosate-related lawsuits, the products are still in circulation. Instead of using commercial weed killers, hand-pull weeds or leave them alone — many plants considered by some to be “weeds” are therapeutic plants, such as dandelions!

If you feel you must get rid of weeds, make a homemade weed killer by mixing white vinegar, table salt, and dish soap and spraying onto unwanted plants. Better yet, learn how to make your lawn organic, free from the use of harmful pesticides, with The Lawncare Toolkit: The Basics of Eco-Friendly Lawncare by Sunday and Stonyfield Organic, two organizations with a joint mission to help transition all fields and lawns to organic maintenance. 

Glyphosate use in the U.S. skyrocketed after the introduction of herbicide-resistant, Roundup Ready genetically modified organisms (GMOs) in 1994. But glyphosate is not just sprayed on GMO crops. It also is used as a pre-harvest drying agent on non-GMO crops such as wheat, oats, and legumes.

GMOs are plants that have had their genetic material altered through genetic engineering techniques. This manipulation of DNA allows scientists to add desired traits into these organisms, such as increased resistance to pests and toxic herbicides.

GMOs are created in laboratories using various techniques such as gene splicing, gene editing, or genetic engineering. Gene splicing involves cutting and recombining DNA from different sources, while gene editing techniques like CRISPR involve precise changes to the DNA sequence.

One of the main concerns is the potential for allergic reactions. It is believed that the introduction of foreign genes into crops trigger allergies in some individuals. This is particularly concerning for those with known allergies, as they may unknowingly consume GMO foods that could cause adverse reactions.

Another concern is the impact of GMOs on our gut microbiome, which plays a crucial role in our overall health — any disruption to its balance can have far-reaching consequences. Some studies have suggested that the consumption of GMOs may alter the composition of the gut microbiome, potentially leading to digestive issues and other health problems.

Furthermore, there are concerns that GMOs may contribute to the development of chronic diseases. While conclusive evidence is still lacking, Studies have suggested a link between GMO consumption and health issues such as cancer, infertility, and organ damage.

 To truly defend your health, you need evidence-based strategies that keep pesticides like glyphosate out of your body — while supporting key organs and systems in the process. Buying organic, non-GMO versions of your food — especially for those items on the Dirty Dozen List — are two ways to protect yourself and your health.

Also, don’t forget about the body’s innate natural wisdom. Your body has an amazing ability to heal itself when you take important steps to avoid glyphosate and use holistic remedies designed to bolster natural protection against inadvertent exposure to all types of toxins. You can feel confident knowing your precious health is safeguarded.