How to safely eat 'Dirty Dozen' fruits, vegetables with most pesticides

How to safely eat ‘Dirty Dozen’ fruits, vegetables with most pesticides

EWG lists 12 produce items highest in pesticides "Dirty Dozen"
Strawberries top Dirty Dozen list
Proper washing, thorough scrubbing can reduce but not eliminate residues

Updated: Mar 24, 2024 / 11:02 PM EDT

FILE – People buy fruit at a market in Moscow, Russia, on Nov. 3, 2023. The shelves at Moscow supermarkets are full of fruit, vegetables, cheese and meat, but many shoppers look at the selection with dismay as inflation drives up their price. (AP Photo)

(NewsNation) — The Environmental Working Group (EWG), a non-profit organization, has released its annual “Dirty Dozen” list of fruits and vegetables containing the highest amounts of pesticide residues.

The EWG analyzed data from the U.S. Department of Agriculture to compile the list, which aims to raise awareness about pesticide residues on fruits and vegetables commonly consumed by Americans.

Consumers can use these lists as a guide to make informed choices about which produce items to prioritize when buying organic or conventional options.

The Full “Dirty Dozen”

Strawberries
Spinach
Kale, collard & mustard greens
Grapes
Peaches
Pears
Nectarines
Apples
Bell & hot peppers
Cherries
Blueberries
Green beans

“This year, EWG determined that 75 percent of all conventional fresh produce sampled had residues of potentially harmful pesticides,” according to the EWG. “But for items on the Dirty Dozen, a whopping 95 percent of samples contain pesticides.”

A total of 209 pesticides were found on Dirty Dozen items. Across all 12 items, 95 percent of samples had pesticides.

Some of these toxic synthetic pesticides are linked to cancer, brain and nervous system toxicity and hormone disruption, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

For consumers looking to limit their exposure to pesticides, the EWG also issued its annual “Clean Fifteen” list of produce containing minimal residues.