INDIANA – The Environmental Working Group (EWG) has released its annual “Dirty Dozen” list, highlighting the fruits and vegetables found to have the highest levels of pesticide residues.
This report, compiled from the latest government testing data on non-organic produce, analyzed 47 items.
The 12 most contaminated fruits and vegetables are:
- Spinach
- Strawberries
- Kale, collard, and mustard greens
- Grapes
- Peaches
- Cherries
- Nectarines
- Pears
- Apples
- Blackberries
The guide’s Clean Fifteenâ„¢ highlights produce with the least pesticides, with cauliflower (10th) and bananas (11th) joining the list this year.  Potatoes join the list this year in 12th place. Other items on the list are apples, bell peppers, hot peppers, blueberries, and green beans. The list is based on an analysis of USDA data.Â
Bananas were among the produce with the lowest overall pesticide toxicity.Â
The “Dirty Dozen” list serves as a guide for consumers to help them make informed choices about which produce to purchase, primarily organic, to minimize pesticide exposure. The list also emphasizes the importance of thoroughly washing produce, even if it is organic, to remove any remaining pesticide residues.Â
