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 2025 and into 2026:

The Dirty Dozen

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

The CLEAN FIFTEEN

1. Pineapple
2. Sweet Corn (fresh and frozen)
3. Avocado
4. Papaya
5. Onions
6. Sweet Peas (frozen)
7. Asparagus
8. Cabbage
9. Watermelon
10. Cauliflower
11. Bananas
12. Mangoes
13. Carrots
14. Mushrooms
15. Kiwi