Alliance For Food And Farming, Other Groups Respond To Release Of Dirty Dozen List

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Recently, the Environmental Working Group (EWG) released its most updated “Dirty Dozen” list, which ranks the produce items that supposedly contain high levels of pesticide residues. In response to the release of this list, the Alliance For Food and Farming, a non-profit organization that works to provide a voice for growers to communicate their commitment to food safety, moved quickly to counter the allegations in the report.

A press release from the Alliance has been posted at their website, www.safefruitsandveggies.com (go to the “What’s New” section of the site). Among other things, the release points out that a panel of scientists, and the EWG themselves, have said the list is not risk based. Further, these scientists say that this “Dirty Dozen” list is actually misleading to consumers and should not be used when making purchasing decisions about fruits and vegetables.

In addition, the Alliance is directing both consumers and the media to the pesticide residue calculator tool available on their website. In the meantime, growers who receive media or customer inquiries about the report should direct them to the Safe Fruits And Veggies Web site for more information.

For more information, check out these related articles published on GrowingProduce.com:
• “Safe Fruits And Veggies Campaign In Full Swing”, which highlights a recent webinar presented by the Alliance.
• “Finding Common Ground”, an editorial by American Fruit Grower editor Brian Sparks that urges the industry to work together in promoting fruit and vegetable consumption.
• “Missing The Point”, an editorial in which Western Fruit Grower editor David Eddy says reports like the “Dirty Dozen” list simply lead to a drop in produce consumption.