Environmental Working Group’s ‘Dirty Dozen’ produce list stokes pesticide fears in an ‘already anxiety-ridden world’ An open letter to Mr. Ken Cook, President
– Environmental Working Group
Your announced plan to release the so-called “Dirty Dozen” list under current circumstances is misguided and concerning. As you are well aware, this list is not only scientifically unsupportable but peer reviewed research has shown it negatively impacts consumers and discourages consumption because it erroneously raises produce safety fears. On behalf of the organic and conventional farmers we represent, we ask that you rethink your decision to release and promote this list due to its undermining effect on health efforts to increase consumption of the very foods we are urged to eat more of to boost immunity and prevent illness. Now is not the time to release more inaccurate and fear-based messaging into an already anxiety-ridden world.
In addition, your list has been repeatedly discredited by scientists. A peer reviewed analysis has shown that your organization follows no established scientific procedures in the development of the so-called list. Moreover, this analysis found that your list’s recommendations to substitute organic forms of produce for conventional forms does not reduce risk to consumers simply because residues are so low, if present at all, on conventional fruits and vegetables.
Further, calling fruits and vegetables “dirty” is exceptionally disrespectful to organic and conventional fruit and vegetable farmers. These are the farmers who continue to work hard every day to ensure Americans (as well as citizens in other countries) have an adequate and accessible supply of food in these very troubling and uncertain times. It should be noted that the government has deemed farmers and farm employees as “essential” to our nation’s security – something most of us have recognized for a long long time.
Mr. Cook, we all must adapt to this evolving environment, make difficult decisions and change. We have called on you previously to abandon releasing this list. But, now more than ever, we ask for your leadership to stop your organization’s practice of knowingly stoking misplaced food safety fears and denigrating the work of farmers through the release of this list. Now is the time to put consumers first and support their choices whether they choose organic or conventionally grown produce. Now is the time to use your organization’s considerable resources to help promote a healthy diet that is rich in fruits and vegetables. With only one in 10 Americans eating enough each day, the EWG could help make positive and important strides in improving diets. Please, do the right thing.
Debunking the pesticide residue myth by Toby Amidor, MS, RD, CDN, FAND
I am a registered dietitian who believes that any form of fruits and vegetables are healthy – organic or conventional. However, there are so many myths surrounding pesticides and fruits and vegetables that it’s mind boggling for consumers to wade through the confusion. So much so that research has found that some consumers are even scared to buy fresh produce! Here’s a look at the research and what you should know about pesticide residues and fruits and vegetables.
A Recent Survey Among Registered Dietitians (RDs)
A recent survey found that 95% of RDs agree that it’s important for consumers to know that conventionally grown produce is safe because not all consumers can afford organic produce. However, peer reviewed research has previously shown that fear-based messaging regarding residues resulted in low income consumers stating they were less like to purchase any produce—organic or conventional.
Researchers at the Illinois Institute of Technology’s (IIT) Center for Nutrition Research surveyed low income consumers to learn more about what terms and information about fruits and vegetables may influence their shopping intentions. Among the key findings, misleading messaging which inaccurately describes certain fruits and vegetables as having “higher” pesticide residues results in low income shoppers reporting that they would be less likely to purchase any fruits and vegetables – organic or conventional. There is a plethora of research which shows eating any form of fruit and vegetables provides more health benefits than skipping them altogether.
In the aforementioned RD survey, 94% of RDs agree that these sorts of inaccurate, fear-based messaging regarding pesticide residues has a negative impact on consumers because it causes concern about whether conventionally-grown fruits and vegetables are safe to eat. In addition, 93% of the RDs surveyed agreed that consumers should eat more fruits and vegetables every day, whether it’s organic or conventionally grown. Both are safe and can be eaten with confidence.
Facts About Pesticide Residue
The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) recently released its latest (2018) Pesticide Data Program (PDP) results. The findings were consistent with past results, and complementary to other state and federal testing programs. The summary showed more than 99% of the samples tested had pesticide residues well below benchmark levels established by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). In addition, 47.8% of the foods tested had no detectable pesticide residue at all. These EPA benchmarks were set to ensure that pesticide residues remain at safe levels.
The Alliance for Food and Farming has created a fabulous tool called the “Pesticide Residue Calculator” to help consumers calculate the amount of fresh produce they would need to consume in order to exceed the EPAs pesticide residue benchmarks. For example, a woman could consume 453 servings of strawberries in one day without any effect even if the strawberries have the highest pesticide residue recorded for strawberries. With 8 strawberries per serving, that would mean eating a total of 3,624 strawberries in one day!
What About Dried Fruit?
One of the most popular dried fruits (and one I use regularly in my cookbooks) is raisins. Raisins are a natural and healthy dried product, an easy and quick snack for kids and a non-perishable pantry staple. According to the USDA PDP Report, which included raisins in its 2018 sampling program, the vast majority of residues found on raisins were well below safety levels established by the EPA. The raisin industry is also subject to an annual comprehensive survey, which shows that raisins are grown in compliance with pesticide safety standards established by the EPA.
The Benefits of Eating More Fruits and Vegetables
According to the 2015-2020 dietary guidelines for Americans, approximately 90% of Americans do not meet the daily recommendations for vegetables and close to 80% don’t meet the daily recommendations for fruit. A peer reviewed study found that if half of all Americans increased their consumption of fruit and vegetables by a single serving each day, 20,000 cancer cases could be prevented annually. This overwhelming difference between the benefit and risk estimates provides confidence that consumers should not be concerned about cancer risks from choosing conventionally grown produce.
As a registered dietitian, I am “pro-choice” when it comes to produce—but the choice is the consumer’s alone. Whether someone wants to eat organic or conventional, it is important to eat fruits and vegetables of any type (fresh, dried, canned, or frozen). No matter which fruits and vegetables you choose to eat, be proud of choosing foods that help contribute tremendous health benefits." https://www.safefruitsandveggies.com/blog/guest-blog-debunking-the-pesticide-residue-myth/
Maybe this is part of the reason why Russians are crazy
Joe Rogan Experience #1540 HAS BEEN ERASED FROM THE INTERNET
Environmental Working Group’s ‘Dirty Dozen’ produce list stokes pesticide fears in an ‘already anxiety-ridden world’ An open letter to Mr. Ken Cook, President
– Environmental Working Group
Your announced plan to release the so-called “Dirty Dozen” list under current circumstances is misguided and concerning. As you are well aware, this list is not only scientifically unsupportable but peer reviewed research has shown it negatively impacts consumers and discourages consumption because it erroneously raises produce safety fears. On behalf of the organic and conventional farmers we represent, we ask that you rethink your decision to release and promote this list due to its undermining effect on health efforts to increase consumption of the very foods we are urged to eat more of to boost immunity and prevent illness. Now is not the time to release more inaccurate and fear-based messaging into an already anxiety-ridden world.
In addition, your list has been repeatedly discredited by scientists. A peer reviewed analysis has shown that your organization follows no established scientific procedures in the development of the so-called list. Moreover, this analysis found that your list’s recommendations to substitute organic forms of produce for conventional forms does not reduce risk to consumers simply because residues are so low, if present at all, on conventional fruits and vegetables.
Further, calling fruits and vegetables “dirty” is exceptionally disrespectful to organic and conventional fruit and vegetable farmers. These are the farmers who continue to work hard every day to ensure Americans (as well as citizens in other countries) have an adequate and accessible supply of food in these very troubling and uncertain times. It should be noted that the government has deemed farmers and farm employees as “essential” to our nation’s security – something most of us have recognized for a long long time.
Mr. Cook, we all must adapt to this evolving environment, make difficult decisions and change. We have called on you previously to abandon releasing this list. But, now more than ever, we ask for your leadership to stop your organization’s practice of knowingly stoking misplaced food safety fears and denigrating the work of farmers through the release of this list. Now is the time to put consumers first and support their choices whether they choose organic or conventionally grown produce. Now is the time to use your organization’s considerable resources to help promote a healthy diet that is rich in fruits and vegetables. With only one in 10 Americans eating enough each day, the EWG could help make positive and important strides in improving diets. Please, do the right thing.
Teresa Thorne, Executive Director
Alliance for Food and Farming
https://www.safefruitsandveggies.com/blog/an-open-letter-to-ewg/
Update on the condemnation of release of a 'Dirty Dozen' list during the pandemic:
https://www.safefruitsandveggies.com/blog/dirty-dozen-list-coverage-drops-to-all-time-low/
Debunking the pesticide residue myth by Toby Amidor, MS, RD, CDN, FAND
I am a registered dietitian who believes that any form of fruits and vegetables are healthy – organic or conventional. However, there are so many myths surrounding pesticides and fruits and vegetables that it’s mind boggling for consumers to wade through the confusion. So much so that research has found that some consumers are even scared to buy fresh produce! Here’s a look at the research and what you should know about pesticide residues and fruits and vegetables.
A Recent Survey Among Registered Dietitians (RDs)
A recent survey found that 95% of RDs agree that it’s important for consumers to know that conventionally grown produce is safe because not all consumers can afford organic produce. However, peer reviewed research has previously shown that fear-based messaging regarding residues resulted in low income consumers stating they were less like to purchase any produce—organic or conventional.
Researchers at the Illinois Institute of Technology’s (IIT) Center for Nutrition Research surveyed low income consumers to learn more about what terms and information about fruits and vegetables may influence their shopping intentions. Among the key findings, misleading messaging which inaccurately describes certain fruits and vegetables as having “higher” pesticide residues results in low income shoppers reporting that they would be less likely to purchase any fruits and vegetables – organic or conventional. There is a plethora of research which shows eating any form of fruit and vegetables provides more health benefits than skipping them altogether.
In the aforementioned RD survey, 94% of RDs agree that these sorts of inaccurate, fear-based messaging regarding pesticide residues has a negative impact on consumers because it causes concern about whether conventionally-grown fruits and vegetables are safe to eat. In addition, 93% of the RDs surveyed agreed that consumers should eat more fruits and vegetables every day, whether it’s organic or conventionally grown. Both are safe and can be eaten with confidence.
Facts About Pesticide Residue
The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) recently released its latest (2018) Pesticide Data Program (PDP) results. The findings were consistent with past results, and complementary to other state and federal testing programs. The summary showed more than 99% of the samples tested had pesticide residues well below benchmark levels established by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). In addition, 47.8% of the foods tested had no detectable pesticide residue at all. These EPA benchmarks were set to ensure that pesticide residues remain at safe levels.
The Alliance for Food and Farming has created a fabulous tool called the “Pesticide Residue Calculator” to help consumers calculate the amount of fresh produce they would need to consume in order to exceed the EPAs pesticide residue benchmarks. For example, a woman could consume 453 servings of strawberries in one day without any effect even if the strawberries have the highest pesticide residue recorded for strawberries. With 8 strawberries per serving, that would mean eating a total of 3,624 strawberries in one day!
What About Dried Fruit?
One of the most popular dried fruits (and one I use regularly in my cookbooks) is raisins. Raisins are a natural and healthy dried product, an easy and quick snack for kids and a non-perishable pantry staple. According to the USDA PDP Report, which included raisins in its 2018 sampling program, the vast majority of residues found on raisins were well below safety levels established by the EPA. The raisin industry is also subject to an annual comprehensive survey, which shows that raisins are grown in compliance with pesticide safety standards established by the EPA.
The Benefits of Eating More Fruits and Vegetables
According to the 2015-2020 dietary guidelines for Americans, approximately 90% of Americans do not meet the daily recommendations for vegetables and close to 80% don’t meet the daily recommendations for fruit. A peer reviewed study found that if half of all Americans increased their consumption of fruit and vegetables by a single serving each day, 20,000 cancer cases could be prevented annually. This overwhelming difference between the benefit and risk estimates provides confidence that consumers should not be concerned about cancer risks from choosing conventionally grown produce.
As a registered dietitian, I am “pro-choice” when it comes to produce—but the choice is the consumer’s alone. Whether someone wants to eat organic or conventional, it is important to eat fruits and vegetables of any type (fresh, dried, canned, or frozen). No matter which fruits and vegetables you choose to eat, be proud of choosing foods that help contribute tremendous health benefits." https://www.safefruitsandveggies.com/blog/guest-blog-debunking-the-pesticide-residue-myth/
Pesticides are the reason you are not paying 40$ for a tomato