Environmental Working Group is a nonprofit organization that advocates for policies to protect health. They publish a Shoppers’ Guide to Pesticides in Produce based on data from pesticide tests performed on produce and collected by federal agencies. Nearly all of the data used took into account how people typically wash and prepare produce–for example, apples are washed and bananas are peeled before testing.
Why should you care about pesticides? The EWG points out that there is a growing consensus in the scientific community that small does of pesticides and other chemicals can have adverse effects on health, especially during vulnerable periods such as fetal development and childhood.
Organic produce is not always available, and sometimes is not reasonably priced. These lists helps you to become an informed consumer and to make better buying decisions.
Dirty Dozen™ (Buy Organic when possible)
EWG’s 2020 Shopper’s Guide to Pesticides in Produce™
- Strawberries
- Spinach
- Kale
- Nectarines
- Apples
- Grapes
- Peaches
- Cherries
- Pears
- Tomatoes
- Celery
- Potatoes
- **********Dirty Dozen and then the rest in the order of pesticide concentration
- Sweet Bell Peppers
- Cherry Tomatoes
- Lettuce
- Cucumbers
- Blueberries
- Hot Peppers
- Plums
- Green Beans
- Tangerines
- Raspberries
- Grapefruit
- Snap Peas (frozen)
- Winter Squash
- Bananas
- Sweet Potatoes
- Watermelon
- Mangoes
- Kiwi
- Honeydew
- Cabbage
- Mushrooms
- Broccoli
- Cantaloupes
- Cauliflower
- Asparagus
- Eggplant
- Papayas*
- Onions
- Pineapple
- Sweet Corn*
- Avocados
Clean Fifteen™ (Can consider buying conventionally if Organic is not available or reasonably priced)
- Avocados
- Sweet corn*
- Pineapple
- Onions
- Papayas*
- Sweet peas (frozen)
- Eggplants
- Asparagus
- Cauliflower
- Cantaloupes
- Broccoli
- Mushrooms
- Honeydew
- Kiwi
(updated 3/25/2020)