1. Food: Buy Organic or Not?
Office of Health Education and Promotion
University of New Hampshire
(603) 862-3823
www.unh.edu/health-services

2. BUY ORGANIC

3. Buy Organic…
Foods most susceptible to pesticides
Peaches Strawberries Apples
Although some pesticides are safe,
they are still toxic
Bhargava, H. (2011). Organic Foods Slideshow: To Buy or Not to Buy Organic. WebMD.
http://www.webmd.com/food-recipes/ss/slideshow-to-buy-or-not-to-buy-organic

4. Buy Organic…
Foods most susceptible to pesticides
Cucumbers Sweet Bell Peppers Celery
Buy organic or not, you
should always wash produce
Bhargava, H. (2011). Organic Foods Slideshow: To Buy or Not to Buy Organic. WebMD.
http://www.webmd.com/food-recipes/ss/slideshow-to-buy-or-not-to-buy-organic

5. Buy Organic…
Foods most susceptible to pesticides
Nectarines Grapes Blueberries
Reduce pesticide residues, dirt, and
bacteria with a good washing
Bhargava, H. (2011). Organic Foods Slideshow: To Buy or Not to Buy Organic. WebMD.
http://www.webmd.com/food-recipes/ss/slideshow-to-buy-or-not-to-buy-organic

6. Buy Organic…
Foods most susceptible to pesticides
Green
Cucumbers
Beans
Sweet Bell
Peppers Celery
Take caution not to cross-contaminate foods
Bhargava, H. (2011). Organic Foods Slideshow: To Buy or Not to Buy Organic. WebMD.
http://www.webmd.com/food-recipes/ss/slideshow-to-buy-or-not-to-buy-organic

7. Buy Organic…
Foods likely to have added hormones
Potatoes Milk
Kale Spinach
Avoid antibiotic and hormone growth, buy
these foods in organic form
Bhargava, H. (2011). Organic Foods Slideshow: To Buy or Not to Buy Organic. WebMD.
http://www.webmd.com/food-recipes/ss/slideshow-to-buy-or-not-to-buy-organic

8. Buy Organic…
Foods likely to have added hormones
Peanut Butter Lettuce Beef
Avoid added hormones and unwanted
chemicals, buy these foods in organic form
Bhargava, H. (2011). Organic Foods Slideshow: To Buy or Not to Buy Organic. WebMD.
http://www.webmd.com/food-recipes/ss/slideshow-to-buy-or-not-to-buy-organic

9. BUY NON-ORGANIC

10. Buy Non-Organic…
Foods with the least pesticides
Bananas Mangoes Papaya
Thick peels protect the inside of
the fruit from pesticides
Bhargava, H. (2011). Organic Foods Slideshow: To Buy or Not to Buy Organic. WebMD.
http://www.webmd.com/food-recipes/ss/slideshow-to-buy-or-not-to-buy-organic

11. Buy Non-Organic…
Foods with the least pesticides
Watermelon Cantaloupe Pineapples
Thick peels protect the inside of
the fruit from pesticides
Bhargava, H. (2011). Organic Foods Slideshow: To Buy or Not to Buy Organic. WebMD.
http://www.webmd.com/food-recipes/ss/slideshow-to-buy-or-not-to-buy-organic

12. Buy Non-Organic…
Foods with the least pesticides
Grapefruit Kiwi Avocados
Thick peels protect the inside of
the fruit from pesticides
Bhargava, H. (2011). Organic Foods Slideshow: To Buy or Not to Buy Organic. WebMD.
http://www.webmd.com/food-recipes/ss/slideshow-to-buy-or-not-to-buy-organic

13. Buy Non-Organic…
Foods with high nutrients
Cabbage Eggplant Broccoli
These nutrients outweigh any
potential pesticide exposure
Bhargava, H. (2011). Organic Foods Slideshow: To Buy or Not to Buy Organic. WebMD.
http://www.webmd.com/food-recipes/ss/slideshow-to-buy-or-not-to-buy-organic

14. Buy Non-Organic…
Foods with high nutrients
Asparagus Mushrooms Sweet Peas
These nutrients outweigh any
potential pesticide exposure
Bhargava, H. (2011). Organic Foods Slideshow: To Buy or Not to Buy Organic. WebMD.
http://www.webmd.com/food-recipes/ss/slideshow-to-buy-or-not-to-buy-organic

15. Buy Non-Organic…
Foods that have an outer layer
Onions Sweet Potatoes Corn
You can peel away bacteria and germs
(Still give them a good wash before eating)
Bhargava, H. (2011). Organic Foods Slideshow: To Buy or Not to Buy Organic. WebMD.
http://www.webmd.com/food-recipes/ss/slideshow-to-buy-or-not-to-buy-organic

16. Organic Terminology
• “100% Organic” – No synthetic ingredients. Has organic seal.
• “Organic” – Minimum of 95% organic ingredients. Has
organic seal. Meat, eggs, poultry and dairy must come from
animals that have not been exposed to growth hormones or
antibiotics.
• “Made with Organic Ingredients” – Item contains at least
70% organic ingredients. No organic seal.
Bhargava, H. (2011). Organic Foods Slideshow: To Buy or Not to Buy Organic. WebMD.
http://www.webmd.com/food-recipes/ss/slideshow-to-buy-or-not-to-buy-organic

17. Can’t Afford or Find Organic?
“It is a better choice to eat fruits
and vegetables than to avoid
fruits and vegetables because
you can’t find or afford to buy
organic.”
•Suzanne Sonneborn
UNH Nutrition Educator, Health Services

18. Download the
Dirty Dozen Guide App!
http://www.ewg.org/foodnews/guide/