Every year, the Environmental Working Group (EWG) releases a Shopper’s Guide to Pesticides in Produce report that details which fruits and veggies are the least—and most—contaminated by pesticides. The guide is designed to help you make healthy and informed choices, and reduce your exposure to toxic pesticides.
Dirty Dozen
For the fourth year in a row, strawberries top the “Dirty Dozen” list of the most pesticide-tainted produce. Here’s the complete Dirty Dozen:
1. Strawberries
2. Spinach
3. Kale
4. Nectarines
5. Apples
6. Grapes
7. Peaches
8. Cherries
9. Pears
10. Tomatoes
11. Celery
12. Potatoes
While pesticides boost crop yields, multiple studies have linked pesticides in produce to conditions like asthma, cancer, fertility issues and brain conditions. The Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station recommends rinsing produce under water for 30 seconds to get rid of pesticide residues.
Clean Fifteen
Here’s the EWG’s list of the cleanest produce you can purchase:
1. Avocados
2. Sweet corn
3. Pineapples
4. Sweet peas (frozen)
5. Onions
6. Papayas
7. Eggplants
8. Asparagus
9. Kiwis
10. Cabbage
11. Cauliflower
12. Cantaloupes
13. Broccoli
14. Mushrooms
15. Honeydew
Regardless of which list your favorite produce may be on, you should always properly clean your fruits and vegetables before enjoying them. For instructions, click here.