BY HAILEY KOLTKO There are a lot of questions surrounding the purchase of organic foods. Is it worth the extra cost? Should all foods be organic? Is it just a hoax? The risk of nonorganic food stems from pesticide residue left on the food after harvest. Studies show that pesticides may lead to birth defects, nerve damage, cancer, and more. (Besides, does the image of eating foods that have had chemicals dumped on them sound appetizing? Probably not.) The severity of such effects depends on the toxicity and exposure to the pesticide. The truth about organic foods can be summed up by two categories: the Dirty Dozen and the Clean Fifteen. The Dirty Dozen The "Dirty Dozen" refers to the fruits and vegetables with high levels of pesticides. These foods should be purchased organic if possible.

1. Apples – at least 99 % have residue
2. Strawberries – contained 13 different pesticides each
3. Grapes- contained 15 different pesticides
4. Celery- 13 different pesticides per sample
5. Peaches
6. Spinach
7. Sweet Bell Peppers
8. Imported Nectarines – every sample tested positive for pesticides
9. Cucumbers
10. Cherry Tomatoes – contained 13 different pesticides each
11. Imported Snap Peas – contained 13 different pesticides each
12. Potatoes – had more pesticides by weight than any other food

The "Clean Fifteen" refers to the produce with lower levels of pesticides. This produce can be purchased in the conventional/local areas of supermarkets. All of the Clean Fifteen had less than four different types of pesticides. Only 5.5% of the Clean Fifteen tested positive for 2 or more pesticides. This means that they are safe and the risk is so low that it is not worth purchasing these organic.

1. Avocados – cleanest produce with only 1% having detectable residue
2. Sweet Corn
3. Pineapples – 89% had no residue
4. Cabbage
5. Frozen Sweet Peas
6. Onions
7. Asparagus
8. Mangoes – 88 % had no residue
9. Papayas – 80% had no residue
10. Kiwis – 82 % had no residue
11. Eggplant
12. Grapefruit
13. Cantaloupe – 61% had no residue
14. Cauliflower
15. Sweet Potatoes

Every other fruit and vegetable lay within these ranges. They should be purchased with discretion. With this in mind, there will be fewer questions when it comes time to buy produce. Just remember the Dirty Dozen and the Clean Fifteen! For more information: Environmental Working Group's 2014 Shopping Guide (https://www.ewg.org/foodnews/summary.php) Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Pesticides and Food: What You and Your Family Need to Know ( https://www.epa.gov/pesticides/food/)