On the very same day the Environmental Working Group (EWG) released their annual “dirty dozen” list (March 9), which inaccurately calls popular and safe fruits and veggies “dirty,” a new peer reviewed study was released that encourages increased produce consumption to prevent diseases and premature death.

The study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association found that over-eating or not eating enough healthy foods and nutrients contributes to nearly half of U.S. deaths from heart disease, stroke and diabetes.  And, yes, among the foods we aren’t eating enough of – fruits and veggies.  According to study authors, this research echos previous studies on healthy eating.

Sure does!  In fact it echos decades of nutritional research that show increasing consumption of conventional and organic produce can improve health and prevent diseases, like cancer, heart disease, diabetes and obesity.

How many of us are eating enough fruits and veggies per day ?  Only one in 10 according to the Centers for Disease Control.

And, yet groups like EWG continue to disparage affordable and accessible produce and advance safety fears when they are well aware of two peer reviewed studies which show their own tactics may be potentially discouraging consumption of the very foods health experts agree we should eat more of every day.

Why would EWG continue to release a new “dirty dozen” list year after year after year with a clear understanding of low produce consumption rates, decades of research showing the health benefits of a plant rich diet and now knowing their messaging may be creating a barrier to increased consumption?  It just doesn’t make sense.

But the most important reason EWG should discontinue its “list” release:  EWG’s “dirty dozen” list has been repeatedly scientifically discredited.  In fact, their recommendation to substitute organic forms of produce for conventional forms does not result in any decrease in risk because residues on fruits and veggies are already so low, if present at all.

Read, learn, choose but eat more fruits and veggies every day for better health and a longer life.