An interesting note: EWG listed 19 items that were included in the fruit and vegetable testing data from the USDA and FDA but did not fall into either the “Dirty Dozen” or “Clean Fifteen” lists. A few of the items included: tomatoes, celery, potatoes, and lettuce.
The Potato: One of EWG's Dirty Dozen -- Category -- Read Below. The potato is a great food – calorie-dense and rich in nutrients like vitamin B6, vitamin C, potassium and manganese. It is America's largest vegetable crop: the average American consumes 29 pounds of French fries a year and 142 pounds of potatoes overall.
Potatoes
Considering the amount of potatoes an average American consumes, switching to organic spuds is a no-brainer. Even if you're scrubbing and peeling your potatoes, there's a very good chance they still contain potentially-harmful chemicals.
The average potato has more pesticides by weight than any other type of produce. Not only are they bad for your health, they are bad for the environment and communities near potato fields.
As in 2022, strawberries and spinach continued to hold the top two spots on the Dirty Dozen, followed by three greens - kale, collard and mustard. Listed next were peaches, pears, nectarines, apples, grapes, bell and hot peppers, and cherries. Blueberries and green beans were 11th and 12th on the list.
In contrast, upward of 65% of the produce on the clean 15 list contained no trace of pesticides at all. (Corn and avocado topped that list if you're curious). While many types of produce on both lists have been repeat offenders, sweet potatoes only recently joined the ranks of the Clean 15.
No washing method is 100% effective for removing all pesticide residues. Scrub firm produce like melons and potatoes with a clean brush. Scrubbing firm fruits can help get more of the residues off. Rub soft produce like grapes while holding them under running water to remove residues.
Peeling was necessary to remove the greatest amount of pesticides in the skin. Washing with water and/or other solutions as well as the cooking process (blanching and frying) helped to eliminate most of the pesticide residues from the potato tubers.
Soak in salt water using Himalayan salt or sea salt for 20 minutes. Researchers discovered that 10% salt water solution is effective for removing common pesticide residues including DDT. Rinse with water afterwards. Use bicarbonate of soda(also known as bicarb and baking soda) to clean your fruits and vegetables.
Over the last 25 years they have found nothing of concern. In reality, conventionally grown potatoes are absolutely safe and there is no reason to purchase organic potatoes or be afraid of conventional ones. In fact, potatoes are actually really good for you.
Potatoes tend to get a bad rap when it comes to eating a healthy diet. But they're a nutritious and versatile vegetable, not to mention one of the most popular foods in the world. Instead of being dismissed as "bad," potatoes can be a centerpiece of healthy meals.
Check for soft spots, dark spots, sprouts, or green color. If the potato has little sprouts remove them, then prep potato for your dish. If there is a little green cut that off. If the potato has long spouts, is soft, wrinkled, or has lots of dark spots get rid of it.
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Nutritional Bonus: Potatoes are definitely not empty calories. In fact, they're a good source of vitamins B6 and C, as well as potassium, an essential mineral that helps regulate heart function, blood pressure and nerve and muscle activity.
Look for potatoes that are firm, well-shaped, smooth (with small eyes), and free from large cuts and bruises. Avoid potatoes that are green or badly sprouted or shriveled.
Washing of tubers to remove adhering dust, soil and clay caps usually takes place in the processing factory prior to peeling. Moreover, packers generally wash the tubers and subsequently dry them before they are packed in supermarket ready wrapping.
There are some effective and proven tips and ways to remove pesticides from veggies and fruits. They include the use of running water, salt water, vinegar, blanching, baking soda, commercial fruits, and vegetable cleaners, peeling, and most effectively a portable ultrasonic machine called Sonic Soak.
A majority of the potatoes in the USA are treated with some form of sprout inhibitor. All of these chemicals are federally regulated and applied by licensed applicators. These preservatives are only applied to the skin of the potato and are washed off by the consumer before consumption.
Other contaminants such as heavy metals, pharmaceuticals, pesticides, insecticides, other organics, and inorganics are not removed through boiling water.
You should definitely clean potatoes even if you plan to peel them. Why? Dirt and contaminants. Potatoes are on the Environmental Working Group's Dirty Dozen list of produce most contaminated with pesticides, meaning it's advised you buy organic, if possible.
A conventional potato is one grown without having to follow the requirements of the organic certification. Farmers can use synthetic fertilizers, herbicides, and pesticides on conventional potatoes. Even more so than with organic potatoes, there is a wide range of ways that conventional potatoes are grown.
While you can remove pesticide residues using a soaking solution such as vinegar and water or salt and water, it's not advisable. There's a small risk the chemical reaction between the pesticides and the solution could produce potentially harmful compounds.
The foundation of clean eating is choosing whole foods and foods in their less processed states—choosing from vegetables, fruits, whole grains, pulses (beans, lentils, and peas), dairy, nuts, seeds, and high-quality animal and plant proteins.