0:00
When trying to be healthy, shopping for fruits and vegetables is often a first step
0:04
To help guide your next grocery trip, non-profit The Environmental Working Group
0:08
just released its annual Shopper's Guide to Pesticides and Produce, which is split into two categories, the Dirty Dozen and the Clean 15
0:19
Topping the EWG's 2025 Dirty Dozen list, spinach. It was followed by strawberries, kale, as well as mustard and collard greens, grapes, peaches, cherries, nectarines, pears, apples, blackberries, blueberries, and potatoes
0:35
The annual report is meant to encourage consumers to buy organic, and the yearly guide has been published since 2004
0:43
To come up with its list, the EWG looks at the number, presence, and amount of pesticides on produce
0:49
But this year, it went one step further, also evaluating their toxicity to humans
0:55
The EWG evaluated data from pesticide residue tests on more than 53 samples of 47 fruits and vegetables conducted by the United States Department of Agriculture
1:06
Before they were tested, all the produce samples were washed for 15 to 20 seconds, and inedible peels, like on oranges and bananas, were removed
1:16
The report found even after taking those steps, 256 pesticides were still found on all the tested fruits and vegetables
1:23
Every year, the EWG releases another list in tandem with its Dirty Dozen called the Clean 15
1:31
It details the top 15 fruits and vegetables tested that have the lowest amount of pesticide residue
1:39
Topping this year's list? Pineapple, sweet corn, avocados, papaya, onions, frozen sweet peas, asparagus, cabbage, watermelon, cauliflower, bananas, mangoes, carrots, mushrooms, and kiwi
1:53
To keep up with all the latest headlines, download the Straight Arrow News app or go to san.com
