Kale Is Once Again A Dirty Vegetable

May Want To Reconsider The Next Time You Choose Kale

Despite often touted for being highly nutritious, kale has joined the list of 11 other fruits and vegetables known to be “dirty,” according to an analysis by the Environmental Working Group. The watchdog group publishes its “Dirty Dozen” list annually, in which it ranks 12 produce items that contain the highest amount of pesticide residues.

Other produce included on the list are strawberries, spinach, nectarines, apples, grapes, peaches, cherries, pears, tomatoes, celery and potatoes.

The last time kale was included in the USDA’s produce tests was 2009 where it ranked eighth on the Dirty Dozen list.

According to the analysis, more than 92 percent of kale had residue from at least two pesticides after washing and peeling the appropriate vegetables. Almost 60 percent of the kale samples showed residual Dacthal, a pesticide that is known as a possible human carcinogen, the report found.

But no need to fear because aside from the Dirty Dozen list, the EWG also released a “Clean Fifteen” list as well, highlighting the 15 produce items with the least amount of pesticide residue. The list includes avocados, sweet corn, pineapples, frozen sweet peas, onions, papayas, eggplants, asparagus, kiwis, cabbages, cauliflower, cantaloupes, broccoli, mushrooms and honeydew melons.

By: Maytinee Kramer