Dirty Dozen and Clean Fifteen 2023
The Environmental Working Group is known to be responsible by creating the list of the most contaminated produce with pesticide residue. Knowing what is on the list each year is helpful to shoppers who seek fruits and vegetables and are unsure about their choices and their exposure to dangerous pesticides.
The List
Every year the EWG does analysis of produce by testing for residue of pesticides. With the information they then create a list and share that information to help educate shoppers on food science and ways to make better selections while shopping.
There are 2 lists: Dirty Dozen and Clean Fifteen
Food found on the Dirty Dozen list is heavy on the pesticides so consumers should buy Organic when you can. The Clean Fifteen have a minimal amount of pesticides residue which is great news.
Dirty Dozen – remember it is better and healthy to purchase Organic
- Strawberries
- Spinach
- Kale/Collard/Mustard greens
- Peaches
- Pears
- Nectarines
- Apple
- Grapes
- Bell and Hot Peppers
- Cherries
- Blue berries
- Green beans
Clean Fifteen – this is the cleaner of the lists
- Avocados
- Sweet Corn
- Pineapples
- Onions
- Papayas
- Sweet peas
- Asparagus
- Honeydew melon
- Kiwi
- Cabbage
- Mushrooms
- Cantaloupe
- Sweet Potatoes
- Watermelon
- Carrots
Keep this list handy and watch for a new list every April from EWG!
The choices are up to you!