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 the spring. Here are the lists for 2024 and into 2025:

The Dirty Dozen

1. Strawberries
2. Spinach
3. Kale, Collard, and Mustard Greens
4. Grapes
5. Peaches
6. Pears
7. Nectarines
8. Apples
9. Bell and Hot Peppers
10. Cherries
11. Blueberries
12. Green Beans

The CLEAN FIFTEEN

1. Avocados
2. Sweet Corn
3. Pineapple
4. Onions
5. Papaya
6. Sweet Peas (frozen)
7. Asparagus
8. Honeydew Melon
9. Kiwi
10. Cabbage
11. Watermelon
12. Mushrooms
13. Mangoes
14. Sweet Potatoes
15. Carrots