Jul 28, 2011

‘Dirty dozen’ debate

Let’s pretend we’re at a debate, where the opponents argue their positions in a civilized, reasonable manner.

Nah, that’s boring. Let’s pretend we’re watching one of those obnoxious news shows where people sit around a table and talk at each other.

I’ll be the moderator. The subject is the recent publication of the USDA Pesticide Data Program’s annual summary for 2009 (www.ams.usda.gov/pdp). The debaters are the Alliance for Food and Farming (AFF), United Fresh Produce Association (UFPA) and the Environmental Working Group (EWG). The points they make below are actual statements from their websites and press releases, with a little paraphrasing here and there to smooth things out.

Moderator: Please give us your opening statements.

EWG: Our Shopper’s Guide to Pesticides in Produce will help consumers determine which fruits and vegetables have the most pesticide residues and are the most important to buy organic. You can lower your pesticide intake substantially by avoiding the 12 most contaminated fruits and vegetables (also known as the “Dirty Dozen”) and eating the least contaminated produce (the “Clean Fifteen”).

AFF: EWG’s list is misleading to consumers in that it is based only upon exposure data, while remaining silent about available information on the toxicity of pesticides present in the diet. As a result, the list does not provide a basis to assess risk. Merely detecting a residue does not provide an adequate scientific basis for judging whether or not there are potential health effects.

UFPA: At a time when medical experts strongly urge Americans to realize the health benefits from eating more fruits and vegetables, it is irresponsible to mislead consumers with a sensational publicity stunt disguised as science. The Dirty Dozen list will almost certainly discourage many people from eating the recommended amounts of fresh produce.

Moderator: Thank you. EWG, why are you so concerned about pesticides?

EWG: Pesticides, while designed specifically to kill certain organisms, are also associated with a host of very serious health problems in people, including neurological deficits, ADHD, endocrine system disruption and cancer.

Moderator: I see. Responses?

UFPA: In its latest report, USDA states the overall residues found on tested foods were ‘at levels below the tolerances established by EPA,’ which are measured in parts-per-million and typically established with a 100-fold or greater safety margin.

If anything, the USDA report, from which the Dirty Dozen is purportedly created, underscores the safety of fruits and vegetables.

AFF: EPA’s current process for evaluating the potential risks of pesticides on food is rigorous and health-protective. EPA’s testing requirements for pesticides used on food are more extensive than for chemicals used in any other category.

Moderator: Is organic produce better for consumers?

AFF: The currently available scientific data do not provide a convincing argument to conclude that there is a significant difference between the nutritional quality of organically grown food and food grown with conventional agricultural methods.

EWG: We recommend buying organic whenever possible. Not only is it smart to reduce your exposure to pesticides, but buying organic sends a message that you support environmentally friendly farming practices that minimize soil erosion, safeguard workers and protect water quality and wildlife.

Moderator: Final thoughts, anyone?

AFF: Not only are conventionally and organically grown fruits and vegetables safe and nutritious, Americans should be consuming more of these, not less, if they hope to reduce their risk of cancer, heart disease, diabetes and obesity.

UFPA: The more productive focus would be to help millions of Americans achieve the health benefits from better nutrition, including a diet rich in fruits and vegetables.

EWG: The health benefits of a diet rich in fruits and vegetables outweigh the risks of pesticide exposure.

Moderator: At least we can all agree on that.

By Matt Milkovich, Managing Editor