March is National Nutrition Month.  And, what is the only food group health experts agree we should all eat more of every day? If you said “fruits and vegetables,” you are correct and should treat yourself to an apple, or some strawberries or a salad in celebration.

Despite decades of nutrition studies showing a produce-rich diet improves health, prevents diseases and increases lifespan, only one in 10 of us eat enough each day.  The immense health benefits of fruits and vegetables are the reason so many in public health – both private and government – are involved with initiatives, like National Nutrition Month, to promote increased consumption.

Some examples of nutritional studies proving the health benefits include:

• If half of all Americans increased their consumption of fruits and vegetables by a single serving each day, 20,000 cancer cases could be prevented annually.
• “Prescriptions” for fruits and veggies would prevent 1.93 million cardiovascular events (such as heart attacks) and 350,000 deaths, as well as cut healthcare costs by $40 billion.
• Eating seven or more servings of fruits and vegetables a day reduced the risk of premature death by 42%, the risk of death from cancer by 25% and heart disease by 31%.

It should be noted that most of the scientists who conducted these studies throughout the years used conventionally grown produce.

In a few short weeks, a group will release its so-called “dirty dozen” list designed to invoke inaccurate safety fears about the more affordable and accessible forms of produce.  Consumers are urged to ignore this list and its recommendations because peer review research has shown they are scientifically unsupportable.  In fact, a scientific study found that the group’s recommendations to substitute organic forms of produce for conventional forms does not result in any decrease in consumer risk because residues are so low on conventionally grown produce, if present at all.

If you need more reassurance about the safety of all produce, try using the Alliance for Food and Farming’s popular residue calculator.  This easy tool is based upon an analysis by toxicologists with the University of California who found a child could eat hundreds to thousands of servings of a fruit or vegetable in a day and still not have any effects from residues.  This clearly shows how low residues are, if present at all.

If there is one simple takeaway message from National Nutrition Month, it is to eat more fruits and vegetables every day.  And buy whatever produce you prefer and is affordable and accessible for you and your family.  Don’t let anyone or any group discourage you from enjoying your favorite fruits and vegetables.

Calling wholesome and nutritious fruits and vegetables “dirty” disrespects the farmers and farm workers who are working diligently and continually throughout the pandemic to grow, nurture and harvest these crops to keep supplies of these healthy foods moving to consumers. Join the AFF and share how this unscientific list hurts consumers and disrespects farmers and farm workers. #NoMoreDirtyDozen, #EatMoreProduce.