Some facts and a question:
• Peer reviewed studies show, and registered dietitians agree, that misinformation about pesticide residues results in low income consumers stating they are less likely to purchase any produce – organic or conventionally grown.

• Now more than ever, health experts and nutritionists are urging consumers to eat a diet rich in fruit and vegetables to help prevent illness and maintain a healthy immune system.

• Only one in 10 Americans eat enough fruits and vegetables each day.

With these facts in mind, our question: How could you decide that now is a good time to promote inaccurate fear-based messaging about the safety of our food into an already anxiety-ridden environment?

And, yet the Environmental Working Group (EWG) has decided to do exactly that by continuing with its plans to release its “dirty dozen” list which has been repeatedly discredited by scientists and is specifically designed to invoke unwarranted safety fears among consumers about the most popular and accessible fruits and vegetables. The very foods we all need to be eating more of now.

Dr. Carl Winter, Professor Emeritus of Toxicology, University of California, Davis: “The EWG focuses upon the presence (or absence) of pesticide residues in its methodology and public statements rather than on the actual amounts of pesticides detected, which are extremely low. To accurately assess consumer risks from pesticides, one needs to consider three major factors – 1) the amount of residue on the foods, 2) the amount of food consumed, and 3) the toxicity of the pesticides. The methodology used by EWG ignores all three.”

While this annual release is never good for consumers because of its negative impact on consumption, moving forward in releasing more fear into this world under our current circumstances seems misguided and ill-advised.

But please consumers hear us: The right thing to do is to eat more fruits and vegetables – organic or conventionally grown. Choose what is right for yourselves and your families. Know that the science clearly shows both organic and conventionally grown produce is safe and can be eaten with confidence. Know that a farmer’s first consumer is his/her own family. Know that farmers routinely take their kids to their fields and orchards so they can eat the produce right off the plant, tree or vine. Know that the care and commitment to grow and produce safe food is always a farmer’s first priority.

Listen to the dietitians and nutritionists who are doing everything possible to encourage higher consumption of organic and conventional fruit and vegetables in daily diets to improve health. Be reassured by their words and recommendations to eat more conventionally grown fruits and vegetables.

The interest of consumers and their health must come first right now. It is time to join health experts everywhere in promoting the one food group everyone agrees we should eat more of every day for better health – fruits and vegetables. It is time to reassure consumers about their choices in the produce aisle. It is time for EWG to do the right thing and put consumers first, change its tactics, and instead use their considerable resources to help promote increased produce consumption for better health and a longer life.

Read, learn, choose but eat more organic and conventional fruits and vegetables every day. And stay well.

Photo Credit:  Women’s Health Magazine