A real scientific study crosses everything off EWG s list

A new study published in the Journal of Toxicology lays to rest any claims about toxic pesticide residues that the Environmental Working Group (EWG) publicized with their annual Dirty Dozen list. This compilation of tainted fruits and vegetables would have everyone scared to touch the majority of produce in the average grocery store. We are pleased, then, that this study, from the Department of Food Science and Technology at the University of California, Davis, looked at the dietary exposure of consumers to pesticides found in twelve products at the top of the EWG s Dirty Dozen list and found ¦little to worry about.

To be more precise, the researchers, led by ACSH advisor Dr. Carl Winter, found that all pesticide exposures were well below established chronic reference doses. Dr. Winter concluded that, not only does exposure to these pesticides pose negligible risk to consumers at the levels they are present, but also, substituting organic forms for conventionally grown ones does not result in any appreciable reduction of risk. And, finally, the researchers write: the methodology used by the environmental advocacy group to rank commodities with respect to pesticide risks lacks scientific credibility. In other words, the EWG s claims are empty.