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The Dirty Dozen
If you're on the fence of whether or not to buy organic vegetables and fruits for you or your dog, this article is worth reading. The Dirty Dozen list can help you determine which foods to buy organic in order to minimize the consumption of unwanted toxins.
This list outlines 12 vegetables and fruits containing the most pesticide residue. The Environmental Working Group (EWG) provides research-based information about the toxins in our food supply and environment, so that we can make healthier choices about how we live.
Pesticides have been linked to cancer, hormone disruption, and abnormal brain and nervous system development, among other health problems.
For pet parents that prepare homemade meals and for all of us humans, this information is great to know and should be checked annually so that you can make informed, healthy decisions.
The Dirty Dozen list (aka your organic priority list) is as follows…
- Strawberries* - avoid feeding non-organic strawberries. They contain high amounts of pesticides and are known to cause allergic reactions.
- Spinach
- Nectarines
- Apples – do not feed the core
- Peaches
- Pears
- Cherries
- Grapes* - NEVER feed your dog grapes!
- Celery
- Tomatoes
- Sweet Capsicum
- Potatoes
Please note, this list was intended for human consumption. Not all of these ingredients are suitable for dogs as mentioned above.
What other types of products have higher amounts of pesticides?
Are there more than 12 varieties of produce that contain high amounts of pesticides? The answer is yes. Read the full list of 51 fruits and vegetables with the highest pesticide residue data according to EWG - the Dirty Dozen PLUS.
Potatoes
Note, in a study done in 2014, the EWG found that the average potato contained more pesticides by weight than any other food. This is very important, as many people who prepare homemade diets for their dogs use potatoes, and they are commonly substituted for grains in grain-free commercial dog foods.
If you are using potatoes, we strongly advise using organic potatoes in your home-prepared diet or purchasing products listing organic potatoes if you feed your dog a commercial food containing this ingredient.
Spinach
"We did detect a big change in spinach in the past year's samples. In the most recent years' testing for spinach, the USDA found significantly more pesticides by weight than prior years," Lunder said. "In fact, spinach has double or more the pesticide residues of other crops. We noticed relatively high concentrations of some new fungicides, as well as an insecticide permethrin on spinach samples. In 2016, spinach was ranked number eight. Spinach jumped from number eight to number two on the list." - Sonya Lunder, Environmental Working Group senior analyst and lead author of the EWG Shopper's Guide to Pesticides in Produce.
On a budget?
If you are price conscious and buying organic produce isn’t realistic, try washing your regular produce in a large bowl filled with four parts water to one part plain white vinegar, or apple cider vinegar. Rinse well afterward
Alternatively, here is ‘The Clean 15’ list. This list highlights the vegetables and fruits with the least amount of pesticides. To cut costs, you can use both lists and then choose a mixture of conventional and organic produce.
*Please note, all the ingredients mentioned on ‘The Clean 15’ list are not suitable for dogs. Please research which foods are appropriate before feeding any of them to your dog.
Furchild combines quality and convenience.
We believe in the philosophy that the quality of a daily diet is the most critical component to health and longevity. For this reason, we only use organic vegetables and high-quality meats in our Meals for Dogs.
Making the choice to feed Furchild’s raw meals, bones and treats is an investment in their future and your peace of mind.
Get started on Furchild's healthy meals for dogs and cats for only AED 99!
Have a question or comment? We would love to hear about it.
FURCHILD is the first raw pet food company of its kind in the Middle East.
Discover the transformative power of our fresh, healthy, balanced meals, raw bones, all-natural chews, and premium handcrafted freeze-dried treats. Our Meals for Dogs and Meals for Cats are formulated by the world's leading pet food experts, approved by veterinarians, and are made of the highest quality ingredients.
- Human grade ingredients
- Organic vegetables and fruits
- Ethically sourced grass-fed, free-range and cage-free meats and poultry
- No antibiotics. No hormones. No preservatives. Absolutely no nasties!
- Grain-free and gluten-free
- Suitable for dogs and cats, puppies and kittens
- Home delivery anywhere in the UAE
- Monthly subscription plans and bulk order discount offerings
Starter Kit = Up to 40% off of Meals + FREE Nutritional Tips for AED 99