EWG 2016 Dirty Dozens

[shazie]

If you live in US, you better take it look at this list before you shop for fruits & vegetables.

ewg.org/foodnews/list.php

[ballyhoo]

I can tell you from experience on the strawberries. Two days ago I had some for something to eat , next day had a couple of pimples come up there gone now . No more strawberries for me. Best wishes to all. 

[MsLockYourPosts Passed Volunteer in reply to ballyhoo]

I doubt that the strawberries caused pimples because of pesticides, but know that the pesticides used on them are controversial. Fourth generation farmer who lives just up the hill from one strawberry farm. Happy to see avocados at the bottom of the list, but can tell you that mine are sprayed at least once yearly for thrips (mandatory) and weed control in orchards is roundup. There are new threats to citrus - Asian citrus Psyllid - no fruit from trees which have not been treated will be accepted by packing houses and all citrus trees in an area where psyllids are found will be treated - the trees in my yard are scheduled for next week (mandatory). There  is also a new threat to avocado trees which will probably involve required treatment. Things are much more regulated than they were in the past, but I don't think anyone really knows the long term effects of all of this past and ongoing.

Conflicted Farmer Pat

[AussieNeil Administrator]

What does EWG stand for?

Who funds EWG?

I've spent 5 minutes on the website and can't find that information.  While I support reporting of chemical residues, I do not like alarmist reporting, which seems to be EWG's approach.  Why is it so very hard to drill down to actual reporting of the levels of residues by pesticide type?

Neil

[Cllcanada Top Poster CURE Hero in reply to AussieNeil]

en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Env...

ewg.org/about-us/board-members

[shazie in reply to Cllcanada]

Thanks Chris.

[AussieNeil Administrator in reply to Cllcanada]

Thanks Chris,

I didn't look at the board members on the basis that you shouldn't need to go to that length to determine the purpose of a website. Having to go to Wikipedia for that information is NOT a good indicator and makes me suspicious of the website's intent.  Sadly, with my quick perusal of the EWG site, I independently came to the same conclusion about the Dirty Dozen list as was made in the Wikipedia article: 'Critics of the list have suggested that it significantly overstates the risk to consumers of the listed items, and that the methodology employed in constructing the list "lacks scientific credibility".' That's a real pity, because I have personally seen how dependant modern farming practices are on agrichemicals.  I believe that generally these are used in a safe manner, so that residues are unlikely to cause health problems, but I also accept that there will be situations where residues can be present at dangerous levels. There is definitely a need for an independent watchdog to ensure food production processes meet legislative requirements and to highlight where legislation needs to be implemented or improved.

With regard to how relevant this issue is to CLL, shazie   is this more of a concern to younger generations or to us?

Neil

[Oleboyredw-uk]

Couldn't get the website to work very well from my phone.  Stuck with thst until my return next week.  From the comments I guess it is about pesticides etc used with fruit and veg in USA?  I hope so because I have an apple most days when at home (an apple a day keeps the doctor away ... Old UK saying) and can't do grapefruit because I'm on Amlodipine for hypertension and the leaflet supplied clealy stated it was no-go).

Sites giving health related advice really do need to spell out more about themselves as Neil said.

Rob

[mgh348]

I think the lists are helpful in determining which fruits and veggies I will spend the extra money on to buy organic.  I always buy organic apples, strawberries, and spinach since they are heavily sprayed.  

[Cllcanada Top Poster CURE Hero in reply to mgh348]

USDA certified organic, is one thing...everything else ranges between maybe and marketing... buyer be aware...

usda.gov/wps/portal/usda/us...

[AussieNeil Administrator in reply to Cllcanada]

Sadly it's the same in Australia.  Those wishing to eat organic produce lack one well recognised 'brand' backed by those wishing to grow and supply this. There's a real need for a respected independent authority that conducts regular audits to ensure claims are verifiable.

Neil

 

[turkey2]

Strawberries just knocked apples off the #1 spot on the Dirty Dozen list after it's 6-year reign. Agrichemicals are a serious public health issue in the U.S. Though you can find studies both confirming and refuting the level of risk, it is usually very enlightening to learn who funds the research, if possible. After growing up in the middle of Nebraska with generations of family involved in the politics, science and application of conventional, sustainable, and organic farming, I am aware of more than I wish to be. I don't have enough knowledge of the situation in other countries to have an opinion, but yes, it is probably more of a concern to the younger generation than to those of us with CLL. It coud be argued that the damage has already been done.  

[mgh348]

Just thought to note that in the US, a 9 at the beginning of the PLU code on the sticker indicates organic.