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The Real Dangers of the "Dirty Dozen" List

An expert panel of toxicologists, risk assessors and nutritionists concluded that the "Dirty Dozen" list is (a) misleading to consumers, (b) an impediment to public health because it discourages consumption of fresh produce and (c) lacks scientific evidence that the pesticide levels found pose any risk. As a result, there is no reason why a consumer should use this list to guide their purchasing decisions for fruits and vegetables.

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  • Why Is The "Dirty Dozen" List Misleading?

    The list simply suggests that pesticides could be present in minute amounts on some fruits and vegetables, but it doesn't adequately address whether this represents any kind of health risk. In fact, there is no scientific evidence that the amount of pesticides described in the list represents any health risk.

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  • What Does Our Panel Of Experts Have To Say?

    The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has a rigorous, health-protective process for evaluating the potential risks of pesticides on food. This process includes considerations for fetuses, infants and children as well as adults. Learn about our expert panel review of the "Dirty Dozen" list.

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  • Is U.S. Produce The Safest In The World?

    The U.S. produce industry has the most regulated farming practices and most rigorous safety standards in the world. In fact, EPA's testing requirements for pesticides used on food are more extensive than for chemicals used in any other category. Learn why United States fresh produce is the world's safest.

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  • How Does The "Dirty Dozen" List Affect Public Health?

    Promotion of the "Dirty Dozen" list is actually an impediment to public health because it discourages consumption of fruits and vegetables. There is a well recognized health need to increase consumption of fruits and vegetables and we are far from our target. Learn more about the dangerous impact of the "Dirty Dozen" list.

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