'Dirty Dozen' list identifies produce most exposed to pesticides

When trying to be healthy, shopping for fruits and vegetables is often a first step

To help guide your next grocery trip, non-profit The Environmental Working Group

just released its annual Shopper's Guide to Pesticides and Produce, which is split into two categories, the Dirty Dozen and the Clean 15

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

The annual report is meant to encourage consumers to buy organic, and the yearly guide has been published since 2004

To come up with its list, the EWG looks at the number, presence, and amount of pesticides on produce

But this year, it went one step further, also evaluating their toxicity to humans

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

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

The report found even after taking those steps, 256 pesticides were still found on all the tested fruits and vegetables

Every year, the EWG releases another list in tandem with its Dirty Dozen called the Clean 15

It details the top 15 fruits and vegetables tested that have the lowest amount of pesticide residue

Topping this year's list? Pineapple, sweet corn, avocados, papaya, onions, frozen sweet peas, asparagus, cabbage, watermelon, cauliflower, bananas, mangoes, carrots, mushrooms, and kiwi

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