When it comes to scare tactics that may prevent you from eating plants, we certainly aren’t here for it! The Environmental Working Group (EWG) published their annual “Dirty Dozen” list, which ranks fruits and vegetables according to pesticide levels deemed “dangerous” by EWG. This list is known to instill fear in consumers and can result in people taking fruits and veggies off their plate. If you want to eat “clean,” simply wash your hands, utensils, cutting boards and produce.
The Dirty Dozen can be considered food bullying, and based on inaccurate information, it’s designed to scare, disguised as care. With too many people already dealing with some degree of food and nutrition insecurity and with most Americans falling short on daily fruit and vegetable intake to support health and well-being, we certainly don’t need to fuel more guilt and uncertainty. Reaching for fresh, frozen, dried, canned and 100% juice varieties are all our great ways to work more fruits and veggies into your eating plan.
Famers take the necessary steps to be in-the-know about the safety of the foods they grow to protect their family and yours. If you remove produce in your eating plan due to silly scare tactics, the impact can be harmful to your health – especially related to supporting your immunity, lowering risk of disease and optimizing health.
Let’s say “hooray” rather than run away from fruits and vegetables. Follow guidelines from the Alliance for Food and Farming at safefruitsandveggies.com to maximize produce intake and minimize safety concerns with these three simple steps:
Let’s cheer not fear produce by taking these simple steps to be safe consumption. It’s time to take a stand against the produce bullying and spread of misinformation. Buy what you will eat, what is available, affordable and enjoyable as consuming produce in any way, is the goal every day. Learn more about the benefits of fruits and vegetables, and what we know about pesticides in produce, here.
