Many people are aware of the “Dirty Dozen” of fresh produce. But how safe is other food? Find out here.
I’ve written before about the fresh produce that is most contaminated and which is the least, courtesy of the EWG. And for fruits and vegetables that can have lots of pesticide residue (like strawberries,for example), it’s best to buy organic to be safe.
Because organic food can be more expensive, you don’t have to buy only organic food. Save by buying relatively safe food (EWG’s “Clean Fifteen“) in conventional form.
So I was interested to read about other foodstuffs you should be aware of. It might be wise to buy these organic too.
Please remember that this research is based on US food – it may be different if you live in another country.
Buy These Organic Too
Here are everyday food items that you might want to buy organic (again, this is based on US food).
Chicken
Non-organic chickens are often raised in tightly confined spaces with hundreds of other birds, causing health problems. The animals are often heavily dosed with antibiotics which has been tied to antibiotic resistance health problems in humans. And many are chlorine (bleach) washed.
Oatmeal
Many non-organic oat farmers spray their crops with the herbicide glyphosate (a probable carcinogen) shortly before harvest in order to dry out the plants. This leaves residues of glyphosate in finished oatmeal products, including infant oat cereal.
Milk
Some conventional dairy operators give their cows a growth hormone called recombinant bovine somatotropin (rBST or rBGH) to increase milk production. This can cause health problems in cows, who are then dosed with antibiotics, increasing the risk of antibiotic resistance.
Bread
Preservatives and other additives have been found to be almost four times higher in conventional bread than in organic bread. The food additive potassium bromate is often used, but it is banned in Europe as it is a possible human carcinogen. Glyphosate is also used as a desiccant on some non-organic wheat, and residues of the weedkiller have been found in bread products.
Tofu
Conventional tofu typically comes from genetically modified soybeans sprayed directly with glyphosate weedkiller. Conventional soybean farmers are also increasingly using new varieties of GMO soybean seeds that are sprayed with other types of herbicides as well, leaving a weedkiller cocktail in finished foods.
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Hamburgers
Cattle fattened on feed lots instead of grass pastures live in crowded conditions and exist on a diet typically containing genetically modified corn that has been treated with pesticides. The animals are often dosed with antibiotics to treat or prevent disease, contributing to antibiotic resistance. Meat from organically raised, grass-fed cattle also generally has higher levels of healthy omega-3 fatty acids.
Eggs
Eggs from organically raised hens benefits those who eat them as well as those who lay them. Organic eggs come from chickens raised on a diet free from most pesticides and not confined to tight cages. Some egg producers do not adhere tightly to organic standards, however, so you should always research your egg producer of choice
With thanks to The Guardian for their article.
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Warm regards,
P.S. Don’t forget to download your free green living handbook “Live Well, Live Green” here.