Pesticides on Your Plate: What You Need to Know About the Dirty Dozen and Clean Fifteen

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Each year, the Environmental Working Group (EWG) releases two important lists that help consumers navigate produce shopping: the Dirty Dozen and the Clean Fifteen. These guides highlight which fruits and vegetables contain the highest and lowest levels of pesticide residues. As public awareness grows around the potential risks of pesticide exposure, these rankings offer practical tools to support healthier food choices.

The EWG compiles its annual rankings using data from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Each year, thousands of samples are tested for pesticide residues. Before testing, the produce is washed and peeled—just as it would be before eating.

EWG researchers then rank the produce using a combination of criteria, including the number of pesticides detected, the percentage of samples with any pesticide residues, the average concentration levels found, and the presence of particularly concerning or persistent pesticides. In 2025, the EWG analyzed more than 53,000 samples from 46 different fruits and vegetables. About 75 percent of conventionally grown produce showed traces of pesticide contamination.

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🚫 The 2025 Dirty Dozen

Includes:

• Spinach

• Strawberries

• Kale

• Collard and mustard greens

• Grapes

• Peaches

• Cherries

• Nectarines

• Pears

• Apples

• Blackberries

• Blueberries

• Potatoes

Highlights:

• Spinach had more pesticide residues by weight than any other produce tested, including permethrin (a neurotoxic insecticide) and multiple fungicides.

• Strawberries tested positive for pesticides in over 99% of samples, with 30% containing 10+ different chemicals.

• Kale, collard, and mustard greens had residues of 103 different pesticides.

• Blackberries and blueberries showed high contamination with several organophosphate insecticides such as phosmet and malathion, which are known for potential nervous system toxicity.

• Potatoes showed nearly 90% positive results, especially for chlorpropham, banned in the EU due to health risks.

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✅ The 2025 Clean Fifteen

These fruits and vegetables had the lowest pesticide residues and are generally safe to buy in conventional (non-organic) form:

• Avocados

• Sweet corn

• Pineapples

• Onions

• Papayas

• Frozen sweet peas

• Asparagus

• Honeydew melon

• Kiwi

• Cabbage

• Watermelon

• Mushrooms

• Mangoes

• Carrots

• Sweet potatoes

More than 70% of samples had no detectable pesticide residues. Many of these have thick peels or require little chemical treatment during growing.

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🧼 Tips for Reducing Pesticide Exposure

• Buy organic versions of the Dirty Dozen if possible.

• Wash all produce thoroughly under running water.

• Soak items in a solution of baking soda + water to reduce surface pesticide levels.

• Peel fruits and vegetables or remove outer layers when appropriate.

• Eat a variety of produce to limit repeated exposure to a single chemical.

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It’s About Awareness—Not Fear

The Dirty Dozen and Clean Fifteen are not about fear; they are about awareness and informed decision-making. Choosing produce wisely allows you to enjoy fruits and vegetables while minimizing pesticide exposure.

When possible, invest in organic options for the most contaminated items, and feel confident buying conventional for those on the cleaner end of the spectrum.

📌 For full details and annual updates, visit the Environmental Working Group’s official website: www.ewg.org/foodnews