TORONTO Lets be honest: organic food can be pricey. But does it really make that much of a difference?

Experts say going organic canhelp limit your pesticide exposure since organic food is said to belower in pesticides, free of genetically modified organisms, additives, and irradiation. If youre trying to stretch your dollar at the grocery store, though, there are certain fruits and vegetables that mightbe better than others to buy organic.Theyre the onesbelieved to be the most contaminated by pesticides,alsoknown as the Dirty Dozen.

The annual list is put together by theEnvironmental Working Group, aU.S.-based health research and advocacy organization. For the fifth year in a row, apples have been the biggest offender when it comes to pesticide residue. According to analysts, thats becauseof chemicals applied to the crop before and after harvest to preserve them longer.

Theres also the Clean Fifteen. The produce on that list is the least likely to hold pesticide residue, according to EWG. The cleanest fruit on the list? Avocados. Only one per cent of them showed any detectable pesticides.

READ MORE:The 41 most nutrient-dense fruits and vegetables

Registered dietitians believe the lists can be a handy tool for consumers.

If you cant afford organic all the time, you can buy fruits and vegetables off that list and not worry as much about your pesticide exposure, said Edmonton-based registered dietitian Lalitha Taylor.

READ MORE:5 ways to save money on fruits and vegetables

When it comes to nutritional content, though, Taylor and other dietitians stress that theres no good research to support that organic food is better than conventional (non-organic) produce.

A 2012 study from Stanford found organic foods were no higher in vitamins or minerals, except phosphorus. While they did have a 30 per cent lower risk of pesticide contamination,the pesticide levels of all foods tested were within allowable limits.

Read more from the original source:
Pesticides in produce: best bang for your buck when buying organic