The Dirty Dozen: What you need to know about pesticides & organic produce
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The Dirty Dozen is a list of fruits and vegetables that are known to be heavily sprayed
with pesticides. The list is compiled by the Environmental Working Group (EWG), an environmental advocacy organisation. The EWG's Dirty Dozen list for 2023 includes:
- Strawberries
- Spinach
- Kale, collard, and mustard greens
- Peaches
- Pears
- Nectarines
- Apples
- Grapes
- Bell and hot peppers
- Cherries
- Blueberries
- Green beans
How do you land on the #DirtyDozen list?
The EWG's Dirty Dozen list is based on a number of factors, including the amount of pesticides used on each crop, the toxicity of those pesticides, and the frequency with which children eat those crops.
Pesticides are chemicals that are used to kill pests, such as insects, weeds, and fungi. Pesticides can be harmful to human health, and they can also pollute the environment.
When you eat fruits and vegetables that have been heavily sprayed with pesticides, you are exposing yourself to those chemicals. Pesticides can cause a number of health problems, including cancer, reproductive problems, and neurological damage.
The best way to reduce your exposure to pesticides is to buy organic produce grown without the use of synthetic pesticides.
How we source our good, clean produce
Black Mamba Foods is committed to using only the highest quality ingredients in our products. That's why we only use organic chillies in our products. Our chillies are sourced from small-scale, permaculture farmers in Eswatini.
Permaculture is a system of agriculture that mimics natural ecosystems. Permaculture farmers use methods that are sustainable and environmentally friendly. They avoid the use of synthetic pesticides and fertilisers, and they focus on building healthy soil.
By using organic chillies and sourcing them from small-scale, permaculture farmers, Black Mamba Foods is committed to providing our customers with the healthiest and most sustainable products possible.