The “Dirty Dozen” is not a list
of cops and criminals ala Dirty Harry style. Instead, it is a list issued by
the Environmental Working Group (EWG) of
foods with the highest levels of pesticide residues, a list that attracts
nationwide media attention and changes consumer perception of healthy foods on
their tables.
What is the Environmental Working
Group (EWG)? It is a well-known environmental organization with headquarters in
Washington, D.C. and founded by the power duo Ken Cook and Richard Wiles in
1993.
The non-profit group specializes
in research, education and advocacy in several areas, namely, agricultural
subsidies, toxic chemicals and public lands as well as corporate accountability
in these matters. It professes to use the power of public education and
information in the protection of public health and the environment, a strategy
that has earned it many notable achievements in the industries in which it is
involved in.
The best thing: It has high cost
efficiency because 84 cents out of every dollar donated are used for the
organization’s programs; the rest are used for administrative expenses.