2023 Dirty Dozen and Clean Fifteen Lists — Discover the 12 Most Toxic Foods in Your Kitchen!

Updated: February 5, 2024

dirty dozen clean 15

The 12 Foods Most Likely to Carry Hidden Toxins

Love treating your body to the goodness of tasty fruits and fresh veggies every day? Well, brace yourself. 

A whopping 75% of fresh produce sold in America’s grocery stores is a breeding ground for harmful toxins! And some have even been declared potentially cancer-causing [1]. That’s according to researchers at the Environmental Working Group (EWG) [2]. 

Every year they release their Shopper’s Guide to Pesticides in Produce. And there are two critical lists you need to pay attention to: the Dirty Dozen™ and the Clean Fifteen™. 

These lists analyze Department of Agriculture test data to identify which fruits and vegetables are most and least contaminated. In other words, EWG’s Guide lets you know what produce is a better choice for safer eating.

This information is a game changer. Now you can shop with peace of mind, eat healthy, and save yourself from dangerous pesticides. So do your body a favor and dive into these lists — you’ll be glad you did.

clean 15 salad

2023 Dirty DozenTM & Clean 15TM Lists

This year’s ‘dirtiest’ foods were strawberries, spinach, and kale. And yuck, they were really dirty! In fact, kale (along with hot peppers, bell peppers, and collard and mustard greens) had the most pesticides detected of any crop — a whopping 103 and 101 pesticides respectively [3].  

But don’t let the Dirty DozenTM put you off your favorite fruits and veggies. Instead, buy the organic version and choose more foods from the Clean FifteenTM list. 

The Clean FifteenTM shows which fruits and veggies had the lowest concentrations of pesticide residues. And it’s good news for avocado lovers! 

That’s because avocados were the cleanest produce — less than 2 percent of samples showed any detectable pesticides. In fact, almost 65 percent of the fruits and vegetables on this year’s Clean FifteenTM showed no detectable pesticide residue whatsoever.

2023 clean 15 list
2023 dirty dozen list

How are the Dirty DozenTM and Clean 15TM  Ranked?

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) test more than 46,000 samples of produce sold in American grocery stores. 

And the EWG analyzes the samples to determine which produce has the most pesticide residues (the Dirty DozenTM) and which has the least pesticide residues (the Clean FifteenTM). 

To compare pesticide contamination on each food, the Environmental Working Group uses the following six measures. 

  • The percentage of samples tested with detectable pesticides
  • The percentage of samples with two or more detectable pesticides
  • The average number of pesticides found on a single sample
  • The average amount of pesticides found, measured in parts per million 
  • The maximum number of pesticides found on a single sample
  • Total number of pesticides found on the crop

But remember, the Clean FifteenTM only ranks fruits and vegetables based on pesticide residue. It doesn’t account for bacteria. Which builds up very fast in busy grocery stores [4]. 

Before avocados, bananas, and cherries end up in your basket — they’ve been squeezed, sniffed, and handled by dozens, maybe even hundreds, of other shoppers! So you’ll want to go ahead and give your produce a good wash when you get home from the store.

how to wash your fruits and veggies

How to Wash Your Fruits and Veggies

The produce in the Dirty Dozen™ and Clean Fifteen™ lists was peeled and rinsed in cold water before testing to mimic how people would prepare food for themselves at home. 

This shows that washing your produce doesn’t remove all pesticides. But the EWG states that unwashed produce will contain more pesticides than washed produce. 

So, it’s important to wash your produce. 

But what’s the most effective way to wash your fruits and veggies? Here’s a few tips from the FDA to help you out [5]:

How to Wash Your Fruits and Vegetables

Do’sDon’ts
Wash your hands with warm water and soap for 20 seconds before and after prepping fruit and veggiesUse produce soap or detergent
Rinse your produce under running water before you peel or cut it, to prevent bacteria transferUse an abrasive brush on fruits with delicate skin
For leafy greens, remove outer leaves then wash under cold, running water
Soak produce with ridges and crevices (like broccoli, cauliflower, etc.) in cold water for a few minutes before rinsing under running water
For produce with a rind (like oranges, cantaloupes, potatoes, etc.), use a gentle produce brush to help lift away additional pesticides and microbes
Dry your fruits and veggies after washing

And no, you don’t need to buy commercial produce washes. It’s not safe, since the skin of your favorite fruits and vegetables is likely to be porous [6]. So just use cold water.

Grow Your Own Organic Food Garden

And if your favorite fruits and veggies are on the Dirty DozenTM list, don’t worry. Try to buy organically grown versions whenever you can. It’s a lot safer. That’s because organic farmers don’t use synthetic pesticides. 

“Several peer-reviewed studies have looked at what happens when people switch to a fully organic diet. And measurements of pesticides decrease very rapidly,” said Alexis Temkin Ph.D, a leading expert in toxic chemicals and pesticides [7,8].   

So try switching to an organic diet. That’s the advice of bone health experts Lara and Joe Pizzorno. Not only is it better for your overall health, it’s better for your bones too! 

The pesticides found in conventionally grown foods often contain heavy metals like cadmium. And cadmium makes your bones weaker. It does this by displacing calcium and poisoning our osteoblasts. These are the cells which build healthy new bone. 

“The good news is that when you eat organically most of the toxins will leave the blood within four days.” – Joe Pizzorno 

But organic food isn’t always accessible, or even affordable for a lot of people. That’s why it’s a great idea to grow your fruits and vegetables.

In fact, starting an organic garden is very good for your bone health. With its bending, kneeling, and gentle lifting, gardening stimulates your bones to become stronger. And what’s more, gardening gets you outside in the sunshine – and just 15 minutes of sunshine is enough to increase your body’s production of vitamin D. Which is essential for strong, healthy bones.

Don’t have space for an outdoor garden? No worries. You can flex your gardening skills indoors.

indoor gardening for health fruits and vegetables

Give Container Gardening A Try

A simple way to grow your produce indoors is to start a container garden. This easy method allows you to grow your plants in containers from the comfort of your lovely home. So you’ll have control over things like temperature, pests, and sun exposure. And the best part? No weeds — ever.

If that sounds like your cup of tea, then you’ll be pleased to know that the following foods listed on the Dirty DozenTM list can easily be grown in containers:

  • Strawberries
  • Kale
  • Hot peppers
  • Green beans
  • Spinach

If you’re new to the world of container gardening, here are a few simple tips to help you get started on the right foot.

3 Tips for Container Gardening

1. Pick the right container size. It’s important to know the size of your plant’s root system before shopping for a container. Take strawberries for example. 

They have fairly shallow root zones and tend to grow roots about 6 inches to 1 foot into the soil. So it’s best to pick a container that’s 10-12 inches deep for a flourishing root zone.

2. Boost your potting soil with nutrients. Look for a natural, organic potting mix that’ll hold moisture and provide your plant’s roots with important nutrients and aeration. Remember that different plants require different fertilizer types and regimens. 

For instance, peppers are susceptible to blossom end rot — a condition where the ends of the vegetable turn black due to a lack of calcium. Yeah, that’s right. They need calcium just like us! So you’ll also need to add calcium granules to the soil at planting time.

3. Use containers with drainage holes. Too much water can oversaturate the soil and kill your plants. This is especially the case with spinach. It hates standing water. So make sure your container has drainage holes. And if it doesn’t, drill holes in the bottom (unless it’s terracotta or ceramic).

Takeaways

If you want to keep your bones healthy and toxin-free, there’s an easy solution: upgrade your produce game. Whenever possible, choose organic versions of fruits and veggies on the Dirty Dozen™ list. And stock up on more foods from the  Clean Fifteen™ list to get maximum nutrition. It’s that simple!

To learn more about how to keep your bones happy and healthy, sign up for our newsletter for updates on the latest in bone health.

FAQ

What are the Clean 15™ and Dirty Dozen™?

The Dirty Dozen™ and the Clean Fifteen™ are two lists that analyze Department of Agriculture test data to identify which fruits and vegetables are most and least contaminated.

What foods are on the Dirty Dozen list?
  1. Strawberries
  2. Spinach
  3. Kale, collard and mustard greens
  4. Peaches
  5. Pears
  6. Nectarines
  7. Apples
  8. Grapes
  9. Bell and hot peppers
  10. Cherries
  11. Blueberries
  12. Green beans
What are the Clean 15 Foods?
  1. Avocados
  2. Sweet corn
  3. Pineapple
  4. Onions
  5. Papaya
  6. Sweet peas (frozen)
  7. Asparagus
  8. Honeydew melon
  9. Kiwi
  10. Cabbage
  11. Mushrooms
  12. Mangoes
  13. Sweet Potatoes
  14. Watermelon
  15. Carrots
Which fruits should be purchased organic?

Opt for organic when purchasing the following fruits:

  • Strawberries
  • Peaches
  • Pears
  • Nectarines
  • Apples
  • Grapes
  • Bell and hot peppers
  • Cherries
  • Blueberries
Which vegetables are better organic?

Opt for organic when purchasing the following vegetables:

  • Spinach
  • Kale 
  • Collard and mustard greens
  • Bell and hot peppers
  • Green beans

References:

  1. “Diet, Nutrition, and Cancer: Directions for Research.” National Research Council (US) Committee on Diet, Nutrition, and Cancer. Washington (DC): National Academies Press (US); 1983.
  2. https://www.ewg.org/foodnews/summary.php 
  3. https://www.ewg.org/foodnews/summary.php 
  4. https://www.reusethisbag.com/grocery-cart-germs/ 
  5. https://www.fda.gov/consumers/consumer-updates/7-tips-cleaning-fruits-vegetables 
  6. https://www.fda.gov/food/buy-store-serve-safe-food/selecting-and-serving-produce-safely 
  7. Vigar, V., et al., “A Systematic Review of Organic Versus Conventional Food Consumption: Is There a Measurable Benefit on Human Health? Nutrients, 2020; 12(1) 
  8. Kesse-Guyot et al. “Key Findings of the French BioNutriNet Project on Organic Food-Based Diets: Description, Determinants, and Relationships to Health and the Environment.” Adv Nutr. 2022 Feb 1;13; https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34661620

Article Comments

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  1. Barb Stefl

    March 18, 2017 , 11:44 am

    A small 2017 “dirty/clean” list on 1 page or less (no pictures) would be appreciated, as it could easily be posted on a kitchen cupboard inside door. Thanks

  2. Monica

    March 20, 2017 , 2:05 pm

    Thanks for the feedback, Barb!

    Much appreciated,

    – Monica @ AlgaeCal

  3. Lori J Higgons

    November 12, 2022 , 8:32 pm

    I absolutely agree with you 100%. Just a list would be sufficient.

  4. nathan fama

    March 18, 2017 , 3:08 pm

    good info……thanks!

    I scrubbed apples in soapy water, but will do the distilled water for all from now on. Makes sense since distilled water is known to absorb/assimilate toxins and good for many purposes.

  5. Monica

    March 20, 2017 , 2:07 pm

    Hi Nathan,
    Thanks for taking the time to comment! Yeah, I used to use a bit of vinegar (cut with water) but found it still left a bit of a taste, which I didn’t love.
    – Monica @ AlgaeCal

  6. Penny

    March 22, 2017 , 11:04 am

    You’re recommending distilled water, what about reverse osmosis (RO) water?

    Would also appreciate a downloadable list option.

  7. Monica

    March 23, 2017 , 9:09 am

    Hi Penny,
    I believe reverse osmosis water would do the trick as well, although I’m not too familiar with it.
    There is a downloadable PDF list in the post already – but you can also download it here: https://blog.algaecal.com/wp-content/uploads/Dirty-Dozen-Clean-Fifteen.pdf?_ga=1.169021926.677986803.1422920958
    – Monica @ AlgaeCal

  8. Ellen

    March 24, 2017 , 7:48 am

    Can you send out a one page list without pictures for easy posting on refrig or tucking in wallet?

  9. Monica

    March 27, 2017 , 9:21 am

    Hi Ellen,
    Absolutely – I have created a picture-less version here: https://blog.algaecal.com/wp-content/uploads/EWGs2017.pdf

    – Monica @ AlgaeCal

  10. Wanda

    June 18, 2017 , 5:53 pm

    On their product’s package, Arm & Hammer suggests to use their baking soda as a cleaner for fruits & vegetables, either by manually washing or by soaking. It claims it removes debris & wax. Is this a safe solution? Afterall, baking soda is ingestible.

  11. Monica

    June 20, 2017 , 8:40 am

    Hi Wanda,
    I’ve heard of using baking soda to wash fruits and veggies, although I haven’t done it myself. If it’s recommended as a use of Arm & Hammer, then it should be safe.
    – Monica

  12. Mahin

    July 24, 2023 , 3:55 pm

    Thanks for these informations🙏🏿👌

  13. Joyce Schulte

    January 15, 2018 , 11:17 am

    I use your materials for my Health Psychology class at college.

  14. Shawn

    April 14, 2018 , 7:10 am

    Monica – can you make a pictureless version of the 2018 list (like the 2017 list you made). Thank you! I’d love it emailed to me.

  15. Monica AlgaeCal

    April 17, 2018 , 9:00 am

    Hi Shawn,

    Absolutely! Here is the link to download a pictureless version: https://blog.algaecal.com/wp-content/uploads/Dirty-Dozen-Clean-Fifteen-2018-text.pdf

    I’ll also send you an email as well 🙂

    – Monica

  16. Dagmar

    April 14, 2018 , 8:11 am

    Sending many thanks to all of you at algaecal and all of you who are adding to the conversation! I always find the info here very valuable…♥️

  17. Monica AlgaeCal

    April 15, 2018 , 12:41 am

    Thank you, Dagmar! Glad you’re finding the info valuable 🙂

    – Monica

  18. doris v wilson

    April 14, 2018 , 12:32 pm

    do you still need to wash apples if you peel them and any other peelable fruit?

  19. Monica AlgaeCal

    April 15, 2018 , 12:59 am

    That’s a great question, Doris. I searched EWG to try and find an answer and unfortunately came up short – I couldn’t find anything definitive for you.

    Personally, I still wash everything with a ‘thinner’ peel like kiwis and apples even if they are eventually going to be peeled because pesticides and residue may get transferred to the inside when peeled. But bananas and avocados I don’t. This isn’t the science-backed answer you were looking for, but I hope it helps in any case. I’ll follow up with a reply if I ever do come across this information though!

    – Monica

  20. Tuti Budiman

    April 14, 2018 , 3:35 pm

    Usually I soak my fruits and veggies in water with added baking soda for few minutes. Then rainse themnwith clean drinking water. What do you think?

  21. Monica AlgaeCal

    April 15, 2018 , 12:40 am

    Hi Tuti,

    I’ve used baking soda and water before myself. I think it’s a good, natural alternative for sure!

    – Monica

  22. Jan Richard

    March 31, 2019 , 6:05 am

    Foodrevolution.org tested salt, vinegar and baking soda . Baking soda removed the most pesticides. I buy it in bulk, very cheap.

  23. Beth

    April 14, 2018 , 5:15 pm

    I find it rather incredible that soaking in distilled water alone would remove pesticides. Are pesticides removed from produce when it rains? I clean my produce with a mixture of water, vinegar, grapefruit seed extract with baking soda added to the moistened produce (I learned on the Oprah show years ago). Thank you for this article.

  24. Monica AlgaeCal

    April 15, 2018 , 12:38 am

    Hi Beth,

    That mixture sounds really great, I’ll have to try it! Right now I am using a produce brush in addition to distilled water when I’m washing my produce and am liking it.

    – Monica

  25. Deb

    June 29, 2019 , 4:53 am

    Hi Beth. Will you please give more info on the amount of each item you use. Thank you.

  26. Carol

    October 26, 2019 , 9:36 am

    Baking soda cancels out the vinegar when used together so the mixture won’t work.

  27. Stacy

    April 14, 2018 , 7:30 pm

    Distilled water works great because it is acidic and has no after taste like vinegar.

  28. Monica AlgaeCal

    April 15, 2018 , 12:43 am

    Hi Stacy,

    Agreed! I always found my produce had a vinegar aftertaste with the natural washes that use vinegar. It wasn’t until I switched to distilled water and a gentle produce brush that I found, personally my favorite way, to wash my produce.

    – Monica

  29. Clara

    April 14, 2018 , 8:12 pm

    I’m still trying to understand why no soap if it’s a natural soap without all the chemicals, like Bronner’s.

  30. Monica AlgaeCal

    April 15, 2018 , 12:45 am

    Hi Clara,

    If you still prefer to use a natural soap to wash your produce, please continue to do so! This is just one study comparing the effects of commercial produce washes and water. It did find that distilled water was just as, if not more effective, but that doesn’t mean you have to use distilled water. We are just providing you with some information so you can make an informed decision.

    – Monica

  31. Janet Johnson

    June 5, 2018 , 9:52 pm

    I greatly appreciate this information and the handy printables. My brain doesn’t hold onto things like it used to, and this is going on my fridge! We can’t afford organic much of the time. I sadly just quit eating strawberries. But fortunately organic apples are doable. If you have an Aldi, they are always a good price there.

  32. Roberta

    June 9, 2018 , 12:28 pm

    Thanks for all.the great info and all very usable and doable!! Please add me to any lists you send your messages on. Thanks again

  33. Sherry Rasmussen

    August 19, 2018 , 11:29 am

    Thanks for the valuable information. So I am wondering though what about fruits and vegetables that you get from a stand like Untiedt–there fruits and vegetables are so good but am wondering if they would have pesticides also. Thanks for the info.

  34. Jenna AlgaeCal

    August 20, 2018 , 3:57 pm

    Good question, Sherry.

    In that case, it’s best to speak with the stand attendant to determine the farms growing practices – as they may or may not use pesticides! And always be sure to wash your fruits and veggies using the guidelines above 🙂

    – Jenna @ AlgaeCal

  35. Leah Corcoran

    August 24, 2018 , 8:19 am

    Thank you for sharing this valuable info! I have the lists posted for our patients in the office that I work in. As a nurse, one thing that came to mind as I read the article is that it would be important to remind people to thoroughly clean and rinse their kitchen sinks before filling them and and soaking produce, as sinks are generally one of the dirtiest, most bacteria-laden places in our homes. This is especially true if you’re soaking produce that will be eaten raw. Had to throw my two cents in!

  36. Jenna AlgaeCal

    August 28, 2018 , 2:30 pm

    Glad you enjoyed it, Leah. And that’s an excellent point! Thanks for taking the time to share 🙂

    – Jenna @ AlgaeCal

  37. Susanne Lee

    September 11, 2018 , 11:05 am

    Hydrogen peroxide in a bowl of tap water is AWESOME for a fruit/veggie soak, too!

  38. lori

    September 25, 2018 , 4:13 pm

    The article says to use distilled water. Will tap water also work or is the ph too high?

  39. Jenna AlgaeCal

    September 26, 2018 , 9:56 am

    Hi Lori,

    Yes it will! If you don’t have distilled water, you can use very clean, cold tap water instead.

    – Jenna @ AlgaeCal

  40. Nina Purcell

    November 7, 2018 , 4:59 am

    Is it okay to eat apples, for instance, if you take off the skin?

  41. Jenna AlgaeCal

    November 12, 2018 , 3:25 pm

    Hi Nina,

    Apples have consistently topped the EWG’s Dirty Dozen list and contain an average of 4.4 pesticide residues. So while removing the skin will eliminate some pesticides, it may not effectively remove them all (some pesticides can penetrate the skin of the fruit).

    To be safe, it’s best to purchase organic apples whenever possible!

    – Jenna @ AlgaeCal

  42. Julia Holland

    September 8, 2019 , 1:28 pm

    Are the organic berries & apples pesticide free? I thought it said they tested them also.

  43. Megan AlgaeCal

    September 11, 2019 , 7:51 am

    Good question, Julia!

    Organic produce may still contain pesticides, but natural pesticides rather than synthetic ones. 🙂 Hope this helps!

    -Megan @ AlgaeCal

  44. Kris Charbs

    June 23, 2019 , 9:11 pm

    The skin of the apple is where a ton of the nutrition is, so removing the skin is really not the best idea. You’ll find this to be true with lots of fruits and vegetables. Think of all the skins you already eat! I scrub carrots but don’t peel them. The white part of an orange (the pith) has more vitamin C than the actual orange does, so eat up! The green leaves on a strawberry are similar to eating any greens. So if you’re making a smoothie, leave the leaves!

  45. Sunny Drohan

    January 17, 2019 , 1:06 pm

    Just last week, I heard that now they want you to wash the outside skins of avocados.

  46. STYLIANOS GEORGAKAKIS

    January 20, 2019 , 2:07 am

    Hi Monica,
    Excellent information.
    Thank you,

    stelioscdn
    Toronto, Canada

  47. Jim Presant

    February 6, 2019 , 6:28 am

    Thanks. But I would want much better data on AMOUNT of pesticide removal by alternate washing methods. Farmers don’t want expensive pesticides to wash away in rain, so they’re oil-based rather than water-based. A few drops of dish detergent (like Dawn) plus rinsing, in ten seconds will remove MUCH pesticide, whereas just cold water will remove ALMOST NONE!

  48. Joani

    April 8, 2019 , 6:40 pm

    Dawn is toxic! I don’t even use it to wash dishes! I use vinegar and water. I soak fruit or veggies for a few minutes. The dirt in the bottom of the bowl is shocking, but my grapes sure are squeaky clean!

  49. Bill Mengers

    April 11, 2020 , 11:16 pm

    I agree with Jim above about test data from different cleaning methods, including test data on any residue left after using dish soap, which I have always wondered about, but generally thought did not leave a residue if rinsed well, especially with hot water. I know it says above not to use soap and water, but it doesn’t mention test data. If pesticides are mixed with oils (?), Soap works well in dissolving grease and oil.

  50. Audrwy

    February 9, 2019 , 5:50 am

    This is excellent information. Thank you! So how do you pre wash raspberries and leafy greens without them getting mushy in the fridge? And do you store them in containers?

  51. Jenna AlgaeCal

    February 12, 2019 , 3:01 pm

    Oh good question, Audrwy! I find it helps to pat dry soft fruits and leafy greens then store them in a container lined with paper towel (with berries I reuse the original container).

    – Jenna @ AlgaeCal

  52. [email protected]

    January 8, 2020 , 8:32 am

    When I buy (organic) boxed salad mix I always shake the container every time I pull out the greens. When the greens are smashed together in the box they are wet and deteriorate faster. I find that by shaking the box the greens pull away from each, and they keep longer.

  53. Blaire AlgaeCal

    January 8, 2020 , 8:59 am

    Awesome tip, Heather! 🙂

    – Blaire @ AlgaeCal

  54. Rita

    March 4, 2019 , 12:18 am

    Thanks for all the information I personally use clean tap water and soak all my fruit and veggies in diluted vinegar for at least 10 minutes

  55. Resurreccion Alolod

    March 4, 2019 , 5:20 pm

    Thanks for the info. I always wash my fruits and veggies with water & vinegar. Even in some of the ready to be eaten pack pre-cut veggies, I still wash them to be sure. You can tell the difference if it is organic or non-organic fruit if you always eat it. The info is very helpful.

  56. Lou

    March 31, 2019 , 4:36 pm

    The vinegar mixture sounds like it would clean better than water. However, what would kill the OTHER gross things on the veggies–for instance, human waste? I clean my veggies with soap and water because I am afraid of these other germs. Does the vinegar kill these germs, too?

  57. Sissybugs

    April 13, 2019 , 7:48 pm

    Yes, the acid in the vinegar basically kills anything bad. I do a clean rinse after.

  58. Sandra

    April 1, 2019 , 5:48 am

    I like to do this as well!

  59. Laura

    April 2, 2019 , 7:50 am

    This is good info! And who knew it was such a hot topic? 🙂 I’m glad to know I don’t have to spend money on useless cleaning products. I have used vinegar in the water myself and done a rinse after. The baking soda sounds like an interesting one to try. The point is using science to break down the pesticide residue chemically so it is removed. (Man speak) Distilled water, or just water at a cold temperature, has the right state to break down the residue. Throwing gas on it won’t work.

  60. Janet

    May 5, 2019 , 9:02 am

    I’ve never done anything more than a quick rinse under running water, after buying organic, unless it’s from our garden and has aphids, then it gets soaked in salted water. Sometimes I pack greens in plastic bags or clamshells lined with paper towels, but I hear paper towels aren’t the healthiest thing to be nestled next to our produce either. We do our best and then we pray over our food and leave the rest to God.

  61. Maria

    June 2, 2019 , 10:05 am

    One thing to be aware of is that baking soda (Arm & Hammer seems to be the most popular) contains ALUMINUM! In order to avoid this toxin, you would have to purchase baking soda in a Health Food Store where they sell brands that do not add aluminum. Of course this is more expensive but our health is definitely worth it!

  62. Jenna AlgaeCal

    June 4, 2019 , 11:18 am

    Great tip! Thanks for sharing, Maria.

    – Jenna @ AlgaeCal

  63. Diane

    June 30, 2019 , 3:22 pm

    I buy Bob’s red mill aluminum free baking soda online so no special trip needed. Not too expensive. Arm and Hammer is best used for cleaning IMO.

  64. Kathleen

    September 7, 2019 , 4:15 pm

    Baking soda does NOT contain aluminum. It is 100% sodium bicarbonate. Check your facts.
    https://bambuearth.com/blogs/news/baking-soda-contains-aluminum-myth

  65. Megan AlgaeCal

    September 10, 2019 , 3:41 pm

    Hi Kathleen, thank you for clarifying!

    It turns out it’s baking powder that may contain aluminum, not baking soda! 🙂

    -Megan @ AlgaeCAl

  66. D hollander

    October 12, 2019 , 1:07 pm

    Combine two part baking soda and one part cream of tartar to make your own baking powder.

  67. Blaire AlgaeCal

    October 12, 2019 , 2:13 pm

    Thanks for the tip, D! ?

    – Blaire @ AlgaeCal

  68. TL

    December 18, 2019 , 11:03 pm

    What about vinegar water – i personally use 1/2 vinegar 1/2 filtered water & a drop of lemon grass essential oil – any thoughts or research on that???

  69. Blaire AlgaeCal

    December 19, 2019 , 10:12 am

    Good question, TL! Some people find vinegar leaves a bit of an aftertaste, but if this hasn’t been an issue for you, then feel free to carry on – it is undoubtedly an effective way to wash your produce ?

    – Blaire @ AlgaeCal

  70. Kim Bewick

    January 7, 2020 , 7:55 pm

    Arm & Hammer baking soda DOES NOT contain aluminum. It is 100% sodium bicarbonate.

  71. Janet

    July 11, 2019 , 12:50 pm

    Where do we get the distilled water to wash the fruit? Do you want us to buy plastic containers of distilled water?

  72. Blaire AlgaeCal

    July 12, 2019 , 11:57 am

    Hi Janet,

    Good question! You can actually make distilled water at home if you prefer – find out how here. It can also be bought at stores ?

    – Blaire @ AlgaeCal

  73. Carole

    September 12, 2019 , 4:43 pm

    I buy distilled water at my local pharmacy.

  74. Megan AlgaeCal

    September 13, 2019 , 11:31 am

    Great idea, Carole!

    Thanks so much for taking the time to share ❤️

    -Megan @ AlgaeCal

  75. Janie Minten

    May 16, 2020 , 7:59 pm

    I agree. Distilled water is expensive. We buy it to use in our coffee maker and in my CPAP machine!

  76. Marie

    September 10, 2019 , 6:10 am

    I keep a basin just to wash my fruit & vegetables. To the clean cold water I add two or three drops of lugul’s iodine & soak my produce for about ten minutes. Iodine kills bacteria & is needed for a healthy thyroid.

  77. Megan AlgaeCal

    September 11, 2019 , 8:03 am

    Great tip, Marie!

    Thanks for taking the time to share ?

    -Megan @ AlgaeCal

  78. Angie O’Dell

    February 19, 2020 , 8:01 am

    Yes so glad you mentioned Iodine!

  79. Angelina Gonzales

    September 10, 2019 , 10:02 am

    I love all the information I read on here. I use vinegar and cold tap water or filtered water and soaked the veggies and fruits. Does it matter how long you soaked it? I don’t mind the taste, we used vinegar with crushed garlic, hotpepper and salt. Thank you

  80. Megan AlgaeCal

    September 11, 2019 , 8:05 am

    Hi Angelina, so glad you enjoy the information!

    It seems like 10-15 minutes of soaking does the trick! Your mix sounds delicious by the way 😀

    -Megan @ AlgaeCal

  81. Mildred djordjevich

    September 11, 2019 , 7:26 pm

    We grow our own produce so we don’t ingest any pesticides,herbicides or artificial manures.

  82. Megan AlgaeCal

    September 13, 2019 , 11:28 am

    Amazing, Mildred!!

    Thanks for sharing and we hope you keep up the awesome work! ?

    -Megan @ AlgaeCal

  83. Neila Dalzell

    November 6, 2019 , 5:29 am

    A garden of your own is a great option. Growing up there was always a garden and canning for the winter. I live in a condo now with no ground space. Community gardens are not available where I live. Do I have any options?

  84. Blaire AlgaeCal

    November 6, 2019 , 3:38 pm

    Hi Neila,

    That’s a good question. Believe it or not, there are ways to grow a small garden inside your condo! You might find this link helpful.

    Happy gardening! 🙂

    – Blaire @ AlgaeCal

  85. R Mac

    February 13, 2020 , 10:35 am

    You can try bag gardening, especially if you have a patio or balcony. I’ve used recyclable bags bought from grocers, & had g’luck with tomato and potatoes I also use vinegar sprays and/or rubbing alcohol as pesticides You can google any of that to see if any are good for you G’luck! Have fun and enjoy your fruits!

  86. Chris

    October 23, 2019 , 4:23 pm

    My eyes have opened. The only veggies I wash are lettuce and spinach. I will be washing with distilled water from now on. Thank you so much for all this great info.
    Chris

  87. Blaire AlgaeCal

    October 25, 2019 , 11:46 am

    So glad you found this information useful, Chris! ?

    – Blaire @ AlgaeCal

  88. Susan Andresen

    July 11, 2021 , 10:20 am

    Is iit safe to eat boxed organic spring mix and spinach without rinsing or cleaning the produce? If not how would you clean boxed organic fresh spinach?

  89. Megan AlgaeCal

    July 13, 2021 , 8:34 am

    Hi Susan!

    While these often come pre-washed, some individuals choose to give these a rinse again before eating. This is up to your personal preference. If you do want to give these another rinse, you can do so in a colander and dry them off with towels or a salad spinner.

    Hope this helps!

    – Megan @ AlgaeCal

  90. Nadine

    November 13, 2019 , 2:45 am

    If it is organic, wont washing remove the surface probiotics?

  91. Blaire AlgaeCal

    November 13, 2019 , 11:47 am

    Hi Nadine,

    Great question! Not to worry, washing your fruits/veggies won’t remove all of the good bacteria – and it will make them safer for you to eat ?

    – Blaire

  92. [email protected]

    January 8, 2020 , 8:23 am

    I wash my fruits and veggies by soaking with in mild vinegar water. I’ve found that they keep longer. Thoughts?

  93. [email protected]

    January 8, 2020 , 8:33 am

    never mind…found my answer in discussions below

  94. Blaire AlgaeCal

    January 8, 2020 , 8:58 am

    Happy to hear, Heather! Feel free to reach out should you have any other questions.

    – Blaire @ AlgaeCal

  95. Patty Critchlow

    April 12, 2020 , 4:24 am

    For cleaning fruits and vegetables in a big bowl of tap water, how much vinegar do you use?

  96. Blaire AlgaeCal

    April 13, 2020 , 1:47 pm

    Hi Patty,

    That’s a great question! It’s recommended to use 1 part vinegar to 3 parts water ?

    Let us know if you have further questions!

    – Blaire @ AlgaeCal

  97. Nellie

    April 30, 2020 , 2:27 am

    I use distilled water from Waterwise 4000. I mix 3 parts distilled water to 1 part white vinegar. Wash and dry. Leaves no taste. Leave in water about 5 minutes.
    Something that packages I spray outside of package with 1/4 teaspoon Clorox to quart of distilled water. Use on cutting boards.

    I use no tap water in my area for cooking or drinking for 35 years.
    Special shower head filters.

  98. Deni

    May 20, 2020 , 12:04 pm

    Yea I never use tap water for cooking.

  99. Patricia murphy

    April 30, 2020 , 6:14 am

    Bananas! Clean or dirty?

  100. Megan AlgaeCal

    April 30, 2020 , 11:36 am

    Hi Patricia!

    They make it onto the clean list ? You can view the full list here.

    -Megan @ AlgaeCal

  101. Guenevere Neufeld

    July 24, 2020 , 12:46 pm

    Even though bananas are on the clean list, I still buy organic because of the low life-expectancy of workers who spray the pesticides. These workers have little protective equipment to prevent long-term exposure. I know we can’t do *everything,* but we can do some things to create the kind of world we want to live in!

  102. Megan AlgaeCal

    July 24, 2020 , 2:24 pm

    Love hearing this, Guenevere!

    Thanks for sharing and inspiring others to do every bit that they can ❤️

    -Megan @ AlgaeCal

  103. Jeanne Cirillo

    May 12, 2020 , 4:25 pm

    So does this mean that I shouldn’t eat apples or strawberries if they aren’t organic or if I soak them for 15 minutes in distilled water will they be safe??

  104. Megan AlgaeCal

    May 13, 2020 , 2:08 pm

    Good question, Jeanne!

    We encourage you to buy organic when possible, but you can also put them in distilled water to remove some pesticide residue. A few minutes should do the trick! 🙂

    -Megan @ AlgaeCal

  105. Maria Lopez

    May 14, 2020 , 5:52 am

    How about soaking produce with a mix of baking soda and water and rinsing well with clean tap water?

  106. Blaire AlgaeCal

    May 14, 2020 , 9:31 am

    You can absolutely do that, Maria! ?

    – Blaire @ AlgaeCal

  107. Llabra

    May 17, 2020 , 5:25 am

    I know my neighbor would spray his Apple trees before there were apples and then quite often. So I would assume that the pesticide is not juston the skin of the apples, but rather through out.

  108. Deni

    May 20, 2020 , 12:01 pm

    I soak my fruits in white vinegar and purified water.

  109. Joan

    August 16, 2020 , 10:49 am

    I use vinegar in cold tap water. Soak couple minutes, wash if grapes, then rinse.
    Any more useful than plain water?

  110. Blaire AlgaeCal

    August 18, 2020 , 3:58 pm

    Hi Joan,

    Yes, vinegar is a great way to clean your produce – as long as you don’t mind any potential aftertaste!

    – Blaire @ AlgaeCal

  111. MB

    September 27, 2020 , 6:22 am

    As I understand it, vinegar is great for any dirt or bacteria, but baking soda works better on pesticides.

  112. Mickey Vermillion

    May 13, 2020 , 4:42 pm

    I do not understand why washing fruit and vegies with dish soap is considered dangerous. We wash our dishes; then rinse off the dish soap and let them air dry. If that is considered safe, shouldn’t it be safe to wash our fruits and vegies with it?

  113. Blaire AlgaeCal

    May 14, 2020 , 9:26 am

    We hear you, Mickey! Monica responded to a similar comment and I will share her response with you below 🙂

    “If you still prefer to use a natural soap to wash your produce, please continue to do so! This is just one study comparing the effects of commercial produce washes and water. It did find that distilled water was just as, if not more effective, but that doesn’t mean you have to use distilled water. We are just providing you with some information so you can make an informed decision.”

    Hope that helps!

    – Blaire @ AlgaeCal

  114. Ann

    May 17, 2020 , 2:26 pm

    If you must use soap, I would use pure hand soap like Ivory.

    Also, I have heard baking soda in water makes a great soak…

  115. steph

    September 29, 2021 , 1:54 pm

    my guess is that dishes are not porous – the dish soap stays on the surface of the dishes and doesn’t get into the dishes, it can be completely rinsed off. Although, certain things like pizza stones etc are porous and if you use soap, the soap can get into the stone and not completely wash out.
    I would imagine that fruits and veggies are possibly more porous than dishes, that is why I would use dish soap, but, I could be wrong, I would use lemon juice or vinegar which are sometimes used in natural cleaning products and they are edible.

  116. Anxious Angie

    June 5, 2020 , 7:47 am

    Very informative content. Fyi, there’s a typo on the b&w PDF under Dirty Dozen: “The fruits and veggies with the LEAST pesticide residues” should be MOST.

  117. Megan AlgaeCal

    June 5, 2020 , 9:54 am

    Glad you enjoyed the information, Angie!

    Thanks so much for pointing this out – we’ll get this fixed as soon as we can! 🙂

    Feel free to check out more of our blog posts here.

    -Megan @ AlgaeCal

  118. Spencer Aske

    October 10, 2020 , 9:54 am

    How about a baking soda wash then a rinse with a little bit of citric acid added. the acid will help release any alkaline residuals plus shouldn’t have bad taste. also the acid is used in EPA reg. disinfectant products.

  119. Megan AlgaeCal

    October 13, 2020 , 9:49 am

    Hi Spencer, thanks for sharing!

    You may want to stick with either the baking soda or citric acid rather than combining the two. This article explains why.

    Hope this helps! 🙂

    -Megan @ AlgaeCal

  120. Sharon

    November 10, 2020 , 6:41 am

    Should you still purchase organic fruits and veggies from the 15 clean list?
    I try to always buy organic, but if the 15 clean list is OK to purchase it would be less expensive.
    Thanks

  121. Megan AlgaeCal

    November 10, 2020 , 3:24 pm

    Hi Sharon, good question!

    The decision is up to you. As noted in the Clean Fifteen List, almost 70% of these samples had no pesticide residues. If you’re looking to balance your budget, then focusing on the Dirty Dozen List can definitely help! ❤️

    -Megan @ AlgaeCal

  122. Lois

    January 25, 2021 , 11:32 am

    Conventional Domestic wild blueberries (Wyman’s- vs Organic Cultivated from out of country? Suggestions? Thanks!

  123. Megan AlgaeCal

    January 25, 2021 , 2:17 pm

    Hi Lois, this is a great question!

    There are definitely benefits to purchasing as local as possible. It looks like the EWG has actually analyzed Wyman’s Wild Blueberries and has found that there’s low concern for food additives, pesticides, hormones, antibiotics, and contaminants. You can see this here.

    Looks like a great choice for blueberries 🙂 Hope this helps!

    -Megan @ AlgaeCal

  124. Tina

    June 8, 2021 , 5:52 pm

    How do I wash my strawberries so that there clean and all my other veggies

  125. Megan AlgaeCal

    June 11, 2021 , 3:54 pm

    Hi Tina!

    We provide some tips in the last section of this article, titled “How to Wash Your Fruits and Veggies.” Feel free to follow these guidelines when washing your produce 🙂

    -Megan @ AlgaeCal

  126. mary L schultz

    July 26, 2021 , 2:22 am

    I always wash my fruits but I never was aware of the severity of the pesticides. Thanks for the article and the insight.

  127. Megan AlgaeCal

    July 29, 2021 , 10:50 am

    Glad you enjoyed the information and learned something new, Mary!

    Feel free to check out more of our articles here. 🙂

    – Megan @ AlgaeCal

  128. Carol

    August 3, 2021 , 10:33 am

    For the last 5 -10 yrs I stopped using dish detergent except in situations like oils. Instead I use distilled white vinegar for household cleaning, including dishes. I use it to clean (organic) veggies like celery, carrots, avocado skin, etc. with light scrub & rinse. Never had any issues. Since it’s an acid I presume it also cleans & destroys any possible pesticide or residue and wondering if there are any studies or confirmation? Thank you for this article!

  129. Megan AlgaeCal

    August 4, 2021 , 9:21 am

    Hi Carol!

    Here’s a study showing that soaking in an acetic acid solution (the active ingredient in white vinegar) helped to reduce pesticide content, though salt water was effective as well. 🙂

    – Megan @ AlgaeCal

  130. Nicole Champoux

    September 6, 2021 , 10:25 am

    I now buy organic babanas since they taste just like I remember growing up. To me the banas have more taste. Am i wrong about this?

  131. Jeanette Williams

    October 7, 2021 , 8:11 am

    Wow, cold water cleans fruit and vegetables, I’ve always used water but warm to almost hot! Thank you for the info. Jeanette W.

  132. Kirby Johnson

    October 7, 2021 , 3:16 pm

    Hi Jeanette,

    You’re so welcome ? We were as surprised as you were! Happy to be of help!

    – Kirby @ AlgaeCal

  133. Harriet Carlo

    February 21, 2022 , 4:10 pm

    I am a believer of organic grown fruit and vegetables now.
    Thank You for this article

  134. Kirby Johnson

    February 22, 2022 , 3:07 pm

    Harriet,

    Happy to hear it! So glad you enjoyed the article 🙂

    – Kirby @ AlgaeCal

  135. Pamela Panetta

    May 10, 2022 , 10:44 am

    Great article! I keep a photo of the Dirty Dozen on my phone so when I’m out shopping I have easy access!

  136. Dianna henry

    June 9, 2022 , 7:10 am

    Thank you for this very through article….we are in some very interesting times.

  137. Jane johnson

    July 27, 2022 , 3:22 pm

    Like your articles but find them not good for those of us that live in small rural communities. We would have to drive 75 miles each way to get to organic foods. With gas and the prices of organic foods this is not practical for us on social security. Do you have other advice for us?

  138. Chelsea Dugas

    July 29, 2022 , 8:12 am

    We totally understand that, Jane. The best recommendation we can provide is to make do with what you have, perhaps seek out local farmer’s markets in your area, order organic dried foods online, and if organic produce is completely unavailable to you, washing your produce in a vinegar or baking soda soak for 5-10 minutes can help to reduce the pesticide load. Hope this information helps!

    – Chelsea @ AlgaeCal

  139. Julie

    July 28, 2022 , 12:23 am

    Thanks for this. I use AlgeaCal as the calcium supplied by my Dr. gave me tummy ache. .I also get migraines from food with sulphites on /in them. It took me a while to discover the cause. I grow some veg. and buy Organic. To clean some absorbent veg like parsnips carrots I soak in baking soda 1 teas to a bout 4 pts. for a few minutes

  140. Chelsea Dugas

    July 29, 2022 , 8:27 am

    Baking soda is a great way to wash your produce, Julie! We’re sorry to hear you experienced tummy aches while using AlgaeCal, this is rather unusual and definitely not something we would expect. That said, we understand everyone is unique and we want to ensure you’re feeling your best! We would love to work with you further to determine what’s causing this and help find a solution. Please call our friendly Bone Health Consultants at 1-800-820-0184 (USA & Canada, toll-free) or email us at [email protected] for further support. We look forward to hearing from you! 🙂

    – Chelsea @ AlgaeCal

  141. Blanche Griffin

    July 28, 2022 , 6:06 am

    Thanks. Always great to read the support for what we already are doing.
    Enlightening the grocery-shopping world is a blessing and a gift to us all.

  142. Chelsea Dugas

    July 29, 2022 , 8:28 am

    You’re very welcome, Blanche! Knowledge is power! 🙂

    – Chelsea @ AlgaeCal

  143. William Mengers

    July 28, 2022 , 2:13 pm

    Thanks Monica. That was a good article. I kept waiting to see if it would get to organics, and it did. We buy mostly organic vegetables and now it’s going to be 100%. I haven’t been comfortable for a long time when eating nonorganic vegetables. Your article helped me decide to go 100% organic. Thanks again.

  144. Margaret

    July 28, 2022 , 8:35 pm

    My grandmother was an immigrant from Italy and she washed everything before she cooked or peeled it. My mother does the same and so do I. This is nothing new to me. When I eat fruit I wash and peel the skin off before I eat it. You can only grow vegetables during the summer months in the Northeast. I buy AlgaeCal because it is safe but only my bone medication is building my bone destiny back. I get tired of the misinformation that you put out.

  145. Chelsea Dugas

    July 29, 2022 , 1:01 pm

    Margaret – we understand your skepticism and appreciate your feedback. Rest assured, we’ve invested the time, money, and effort in supporting our products with credible peer-reviewed research. Each of our studies has been reviewed by experts in the field before being published in medical journals, confirming the studies are accurate and unbiased. To further support our clinical research, our recent 7-year study won the Ragus Award for Best Original Research Paper of 2016 by the Journal of the American College of Nutrition (JACN)! Health Canada verifies our statement that AlgaeCal can effectively support bone health by allowing only AlgaeCal calcium supplements to claim “helps to increase/improve bone mineral density.” Our customers’ DEXA scan (bone density scan) results are measured by a third party and we always accompany our success stories with these results for complete transparency. We welcome feedback and constructive criticism, and your comment has been taken seriously. We absolutely do not want to make anyone feel we’re being misleading and will look to our content to see if our information could be misconstrued. Your comments make us better! And we are always trying to do and be better for you – our readers and customers. If you have any questions, Margaret, please feel free to reach out to our Bone Health Consultants at 1-800-820-0184 (USA & Canada, toll-free) or email [email protected].

    – Chelsea @ AlgaeCal

  146. Linda

    October 13, 2022 , 7:56 am

    Very good info …..thank you….Keep the info coming..have a good day..keep safe…

  147. Brianne Bovenizer

    October 13, 2022 , 8:09 am

    Hi Linda,

    Thank you so much for your kind words! We’re so happy to hear you liked this article! 🙂

    – Brianne @ AlgaeCal

  148. Jan Tatala

    November 21, 2022 , 5:51 pm

    I wonder if red and white grapes are purged of chemical fertilizers and insecticides during the wine making process or are we ingesting those congeners when drinking Chardonnays, Pinot Gris, burgundies and merlots.

  149. Chelsea Dugas

    November 22, 2022 , 1:54 pm

    Great question, Jan!

    Several studies have found that many wines made with conventionally grown wine grapes do show significant traces of pesticides. That said, there do exist various organic brands of wine which would be good alternatives! Hope this helps and let us know if you have any more questions!

    – Chelsea @ AlgaeCal

  150. Susan Leavitt

    November 28, 2022 , 2:50 pm

    Where do white potatoes fall on the lists. (russets,yukon golds, baby reds, etc.) I thought they had been on the Dirty Dozen

  151. Chelsea Dugas

    November 29, 2022 , 8:45 am

    Hi, Susan!

    There is a good chance that white potatoes are high among foods that have a heavy pesticide load, just not as high on the list as the 12 chosen. That said, it’s always wise to purchase organic as much as possible! Hope this helps! 🙂

    – Chelsea @ AlgaeCal

  152. K Meeks

    February 22, 2023 , 12:48 pm

    Does the use of pesticides include herbicides and fungicides?
    Great articles.
    Can a person find out which pesticides were most prevelent?
    Thank you.

  153. Chelsea Dugas

    February 28, 2023 , 5:39 am

    Thanks for your questions, K! Yes, when mentioning pesticides, herbicides and fungicides are included. As per which pesticides are most prevalent, that would probably depend on the location the food was grown. Different countries use different pesticides predominantly (ex. Malathion and Glyphosate are most widely used in the US), so if your produce is imported from elsewhere, you would have to investigate a bit online to see what those countries use mostly. Hope this helps! 🙂

    – Chelsea @ AlgaeCal

  154. Gail Toland

    March 10, 2023 , 7:13 am

    Which list would green, red, or yellow peppers be a part of?

  155. Chelsea Dugas

    March 13, 2023 , 8:45 am

    Hi, Gail! Green, red, or yellow peppers, also known as bell peppers, are listed at number 7 on the Dirty Dozen List. 🙂

    – Chelsea @ AlgaeCal

  156. Margaret Mariotti

    July 19, 2023 , 6:28 am

    My grandmother was an Italian immigrant and she washed all the fruits and vegetables she bought. She taught my mother that and my mother taught me that. We peel all our apples and pears before eating. This is not something new to us Italians. You have to wash and wipe down anything you buy. It is handled many times before you touch it.

  157. Samantha AlgaeCal

    July 19, 2023 , 11:56 am

    Thank you for sharing, Margaret!

    – Sam

  158. Sharon. kaufman

    July 19, 2023 , 7:15 am

    we grow 2 huge gardens including most of our fruits and veggies. most produce lasts all winter in freezers. yet I have osteoporosis!.s

  159. Samantha AlgaeCal

    July 19, 2023 , 11:59 am

    So sorry to hear this, Sharon! A balanced diet is definitely important for bone health! But for some, this is not enough. After the age of 40, we begin to lose 1% of our bone density per year, sometimes more due to factors like menopause, genetics, lifestyle, etc. To overcome accelerated bone loss, supplementation may be necessary depending on the individual. Please feel free to call our Bone Health Consultants at 1-800-820-0184 (USA & Canada toll-free) for personalized support with this!

    – Sam

  160. nora

    July 19, 2023 , 7:56 am

    Very good article, I have a question because of my ibs, I am doing the low FODMAP diet and there are food that there are in the 15 dirty I can eat and some in the clean I can’t
    If there are organic like spinach or kale and triple wash I can have them
    Thanks

  161. Samantha AlgaeCal

    July 19, 2023 , 12:05 pm

    Not to worry, Nora! If you are choosing organic sourcing of these foods from that list instead, it is a lot safer, therefore, you can enjoy them. 🙂

    – Sam

  162. Cela Lohrstorfer

    July 19, 2023 , 8:43 am

    Why is there no clarification between fresh and frozen fruit and veggies? Even if it’s just to say ” there is no difference”

  163. Yoori AlgaeCal

    July 19, 2023 , 8:28 pm

    Great question, Cela! I searched EWG and it seems that the list for clean fifteen and dirty dozen would be the same for both fresh and frozen fruits and veggies :). I hope this helps!

    – Yoori

  164. Robert Porter

    July 19, 2023 , 11:51 am

    Thank you for your dedicated work
    to keep us healthy!👍

  165. Samantha AlgaeCal

    July 19, 2023 , 12:47 pm

    Our pleasure, Robert! Please don’t hesitate to reach out if you have any questions. 🙂

    – Sam

  166. Lee Ann Hillery

    July 19, 2023 , 3:49 pm

    What about bananas

  167. Yoori AlgaeCal

    July 19, 2023 , 8:34 pm

    Great question, Lee Ann! According to EWG website HERE, bananas are tested for, but not on either list. You may want to give bananas a good wash at home :). I hope this helps!

    – Yoori

  168. Amy

    July 29, 2023 , 8:13 am

    I soak my vegetables and fruit in a big bowl with a splash of vinegar or 4-5 drops of GSE (grapefruit seed extract) for a few minutes before rinsing and chopping. I don’t really feel rinsing in tap water is going to cut it. Any thoughts?

  169. Elaine Lamia

    July 29, 2023 , 8:23 am

    Thanks for the update since I’ve had problems before.

  170. Marsha J Williams

    July 31, 2023 , 9:24 am

    I have a small, laminated card to carry in my purse that lists the Dirty Dozen and the Clean 15. It’s very handy. I don’t know where I got it, so want to ask if those are still available for distribution.

  171. Brianne AlgaeCal

    July 31, 2023 , 2:18 pm

    Very interesting, Marsha! We’re not familiar with this, but it’s so great that you have one – sounds super handy!
    – Brianne

  172. Judy

    August 6, 2023 , 4:37 pm

    Where I live, organic produce is a rarity! My question is: is the produce from local u-picks considered to be organic? I believe my body needs a lot of those products in the dirty dozen list and if I cannot have the organic version, is it better then to not eat then at all? What about the frozen option for fruits and vegetables ? Thank you

  173. Shelby AlgaeCal

    August 7, 2023 , 12:52 pm

    Great questions, Judy! We totally get that organic products can sometimes be tricky to find – if you tend to pick up produce locally during the summer months, you can always ask if they know if growers follow organic farming practices!

    Additionally, if you’re still wanting to consume these foods and choosing to buy inorganic at the grocery store, then the important thing is to make sure that you’re properly washing your produce! The article actually has a great “do’s vs. dont’s” list for how to wash your produce. Additionally, if you’re unable to find certain items fresh in the organic section, the good news is, many grocery stores have a selection of frozen fruits & vegetables, many of which are organic! I hope this helps, and of course, please do let us know if you have any other questions. 🙂
    – Shelby

  174. Jacquie Smith

    October 12, 2023 , 5:48 am

    You list corn in your clean fifteen – corn is one of the most genetically modified foods on the planet and probably should never be consumed in its modified form. I do not think it should be listed here!

  175. Samantha AlgaeCal

    October 12, 2023 , 12:47 pm

    Thank you for bringing this to our attention, Jacquie! We want to ensure that you are aware that sweet corn is commonly produced using genetically modified seeds. Therefore, as mentioned at the bottom of our list, we recommend purchasing organic varieties of this food to avoid consuming genetically modified produce. I hope this helps!
    – Sam

  176. Bee von Trapp

    December 26, 2023 , 7:17 pm

    These are all the things I learned from my parents growing up 🙂 Glad you’re spreading the good news!
    Have been taking algae for decades and have been wanting to try algaecal. Glad I found your blog!

  177. Manja AlgaeCal

    December 27, 2023 , 6:34 am

    Hi Bee, thank you for your message! I’m thrilled to hear that the article resonated with you and brought back memories of the valuable lessons learned from your parents. It’s always great to share knowledge about healthier choices.

    It’s fantastic that you’ve been incorporating algae into your diet for decades, and I’m glad the mention of AlgaeCal caught your interest. Exploring new, nutritious options can be a rewarding journey.

    If you have any questions or need more information on AlgaeCal or any other bone health-related topics, feel free to call 1-800-820-0184 (USA & Canada toll-free). Here’s to continued well-being and making informed choices!
    – Manja

  178. Anita Monsell

    December 31, 2023 , 1:32 pm

    Do the ‘Dirty Dozen’ and ‘Clean Fifteen’ lists only relate to American grocery stores? Is anything like this available for UK grocery stores? If not, could I use these lists for UK grocery stores?

    Thank you.

  179. Yoori AlgaeCal

    January 1, 2024 , 4:51 pm

    Thank you for reaching out, Anita! My understanding is that the “Dirty Dozen” and “Clean Fifteen” lists are primarily based on pesticide residue data from the United States, specifically focusing on produce commonly found in American grocery stores. The lists are created by the Environmental Working Group (EWG), a U.S.-based non-profit organization.

    We are sorry that we do not have any similar information available specifically for UK grocery stores, but the general principles of choosing fruits and vegetables with lower pesticide residues can be relevant globally. You can still use the general idea of choosing organic or washing and peeling produce to reduce pesticide exposure. The lists can serve as a guideline for prioritizing organic options for items that tend to have higher pesticide residues.

    I hope this helps, Anita! Of course, do not hesitate if you have any follow-up questions :).

    – Yoori

  180. Terri Ackerman

    January 2, 2024 , 12:42 pm

    I took algaecal and 2 years later I gained 8 % bone . So happy with the results.

  181. Samantha AlgaeCal

    January 2, 2024 , 12:49 pm

    This is incredible, Terri! Thank you for sharing. 🙂 Keep up the amazing work towards stronger bones!
    – Sam

  182. Randy

    February 26, 2024 , 8:49 am

    As a Commercial Organic farmer, I can NOT purchase “normal” fertilizer. It must also be organic certified like chick litter (Chicken manure) and other OMRI certified fertilizers. Therefore don’t grow Organically and then contaminate with commercial fertilizers.
    God Bless, Randy

  183. Yoori AlgaeCal

    February 26, 2024 , 5:39 pm

    Thank you for sharing your perspective, Randy! We truly appreciate your commitment to organic agriculture and for upholding high standards in the industry :).

    – Yoori

This article features advice from our industry experts to give you the best possible info through cutting-edge research.

Lara Pizzorno
MDiv, MA, LMT - Best-selling author of Healthy Bones Healthy You! and Your Bones; Editor of Longevity Medicine Review, and Senior Medical Editor for Integrative Medicine Advisors.,
Dr. Liz Lipski
PhD, CNS, FACN, IFMP, BCHN, LDN - Professor and Director of Academic Development, Nutrition programs in Clinical Nutrition at Maryland University of Integrative Health.,
Dr. Loren Fishman
MD, B.Phil.,(oxon.) - Medical Director of Manhattan Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation and Founder of the Yoga Injury Prevention Website.,
Prof. Didier Hans
PHD, MBA - Head of Research & Development Center of Bone Diseases, Lausanne University Hospital CHUV, Switzerland,