Every year the Environmental Working Group (EWG) releases its Top Dirty Dozen Foods. This list contains the top twelve fruits and vegetables that are laden with pesticides. According to a report from the EWG, fruits and vegetables on the Top Dirty Dozen Foods list contain anywhere from 47 to 67 pesticides per serving.
Here are the EWG’s 12 Top Dirty Dozen fruits and vegetables.
Top Dirty Dozen Foods – Fruits
- Peaches
- Apples
- Nectarines
- Strawberries
- Blueberries
- Pears
- Grapes (Imported)
Top Dirty Dozen Foods – Vegetables
- Sweet Bell Peppers
- Celery
- Spinach
- Lettuce
- Potatoes
Testing Reveals High Pesticides
Testing reveals that certain fruits and vegetables contain more pesticides than others. This is especially true of thin-skinned fruits and vegetables, which readily absorb more pesticides than thick-skinned ones. Apples, peaches, and nectarines were among the highest, followed by bell peppers, grapes, and cherry tomatoes.
Unfortunately, the beloved potato contained more pesticides by weight than most vegetables.
EWG’s Clean Fifteen
The EWG’s Clean Fifteen fruits and vegetables contain the least amount of pesticides. When possible, select these fruits and vegetables instead of the Dirty Dozen ones listed above. Notably, avocados were the cleanest with only one percent showing detectable pesticides.
Clean Fifteen – Fruits
- avocados
- pineapples
- mangoes
- papayas
- kiwis
- grapefruit
- cantaloupe
Clean Fifteen – Vegetables
- sweet corn
- cabbage
- frozen sweet peas
- onions
- asparagus
- eggplant
- cauliflower
- sweet potatoes
Choose Organic When Selecting Dirty Dozen Foods
Simply put if you eat organic produce you eat fewer pesticides. A study published on February 5, 2015, by Cynthia Curl of the University of Washington found that people who often or always buy organic produce had significantly fewer insecticides in their urine samples.
Final Thoughts
Be mindful of potential pesticide exposure when selecting your food. Reduce your insecticide and pesticide consumption by sticking to the Clean Fifteen. Lastly, to reduce pesticide exposure wash your produce with this homemade DIY Vinegar Wash For Fruits and Vegetables.
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Resources and Links:
Environmental Working Group Top Dirty Dozen and Clean 15 Foods
EWG’s 2022 Shopper’s Guide to Pesticides in Produce™
Cynthia Curl February 5, 2015 Report
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