EWG’s Dirty Dozen & Clean Fifteen

Each year the Environmental Working Group (EWG) publishes the twelve items in produce that have the highest pesticide residues and calls it the “Dirty Dozen”. They also publish a list called the “Clean Fifteen”. These are the items with the lowest levels of pesticide residues. These lists are based on results of tests conducted by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and are a great resource to guide you in deciding whether or not to buy organic. If it is on the “Dirty Dozen” list, try to buy organic and if it is on the “Clean Fifteen” list, you are probably fine to buy conventional (non-organic).

These lists are typically updated each year in March. Here are the lists for 2024:

The Dirty Dozen The Clean Fifteen

1. Strawberries 1. Avocados

2. Spinach 2. Sweet Corn

3. Kate, Collard, and Mustard Greens 3. Pineapple

4. Grapes 4. Onions

5. Peaches 5. Papaya

6. Pears 6. Sweet Peas (frozen)

7. Nectarines 7. Asparagus

8. Apples 8. Honeydew Melon

9. Bell and Hot Peppers 9. Kiwi

10. Cherries 10. Cabbage

11. Blueberries 11. Mushrooms

12. Green Beans 12. Mangoes

    13. Watermelon

    14. Sweet Potatoes

    15. Carrots