The 2022 Dirty Dozen

Once again, it’s strawberries and spinach that make the top annual  list of the Dirty Dozen fruits and veggies that contain the highest  levels of pesticides. Kale, collard and mustard greens, nectarines,  apples, grapes, and bell and hot peppers follow. 

Cherries came in at No. 8 on the list of the 12 most contaminated  foods with peaches, pears, celery and tomatoes  

Cherries came also came in at No. 8 this year on the list of the 12  most contaminated foods, with peaches, pears, celery and  tomatoes rounding out the list. [Environmental Working Group's 2022  Shopper’s Guide to Pesticides in Produce] 

This is my way of enjoying my fruits and veggies without adding  stress to my life. I use white vinegar which can dissolve chemicals  such as pesticides present on the skin of fruits and veggies. The acid in vinegar can also kill about 98 percent of bacteria on your produce. 

My instructions Add 1 cup of white vinegar and submerge your  fruits and vegetables in the water. Let soak for 15 minutes. Drain the  water and give the produce a quick rinse. To dry, lay the produce out  on a kitchen towel until completely dry or hand dry each piece  individually.