The EWG’s Shopper’s Guide to Pesticides in Produce, updated every year since 2004, ranks the pesticide contamination of popular fruits and vegetables. The guide is based on results from more than 35,200 samples of produce tested by the FDA. Every day, consumers rely on the EWG’s Shopper’s Guide to help them make the best choices for their families and reduce their exposure to harmful pesticides. The Shopper’s Guide includes both the Dirty Dozen and the Clean Fifteen lists.
Organic produce is often pricier than non-organic fruits and vegetables. If you’re shopping on a budget and can’t afford all organic products, these lists (that were updated for 2018) can help you prioritize which foods to buy organic.
Dirty Dozen: This is a list of produce with the most pesticide residue. Experts recommend choosing organic for these fruits and vegetables when possible.
- Strawberries
- Spinach
- Nectarines
- Apples
- Grapes
- Peaches
- Cherries
- Pears
- Tomatoes
- Celery
- Potatoes
- Sweet Bell Peppers
+ Hot Peppers
Clean Fifteen: This is a list of produce with the least pesticide residue.
- Avocados
- Sweet corn
- Pineapples
- Cabbages
- Onions
- Sweet Peas (frozen)
- Papayas
- Asparagus
- Mangoes
- Eggplants
- Honeydew Melons
- Kiwis
- Cantaloupes
- Cauliflower
- Broccoli
Key Findings
- Seventy percent of non-organic produce samples tested positive for pesticides.
- Over 98 percent of strawberries, spinach, peaches, nectarines, cherries and apples tested positive for at least one pesticide.
For more information, visit The Environmental Working Group at ewg.org.