Organic foods shopping guide

By Herb Weisbaum

Summary

If you want a list of produce that tends to have the highest and lowest levels of pesticide residue, don't go looking for it on the king County Web site.

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Story Published: Jul 18, 2008 at 2:38 PM PST

Story Updated: Nov 20, 2008 at 10:22 PM PST

Organic foods shopping guide
A shopper's guide of produce with the highest and lowest levels of pesticide has been taken off line and will not be distributed. The wallet-size list (pictured below) was prepared by King County's Local Hazardous Waste Program, a coalition of several dozen public agencies

The information on the card is based on an analysis of USDA tests of pesticide levels in produce done by the Environmental Working Group, a consumer advocacy organization.

Why was the card pulled? Logan Harris, a spokesman for the Solid Waste Division, said it was because the handout was not properly reviewed.

Program administrator Jay Watson tells me farm groups complained that the handout was confusing because it dealt with toxic household products on one side and fruits and vegetables on the other. Watson says the materials will be revised and republished.

Our newspaper partner, Seattle P-I, will have more on this in Saturday's edition.

More Information:

Ways to still save when buying organic foods