According to the EWG’s 2025 Shopper’s Guide to Pesticides in Produce™, a significant portion, just over 75%, of non-organic fresh produce sold in America contains residues of potentially harmful pesticides and fungicides. Every year the Environmental Working Group (EWG) publishes a list of the Dirty Dozen and Clean Fifteen describing the most contaminated and lowest amounts of pesticide/fungicide residue found on produce based on analysis of testing data from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
Before Testing
The USDA peels or scrubs and washes produce samples before they’re tested, whereas the FDA removes only dirt first. Even after these steps, the agencies’ tests still found traces of 265 pesticides in all fruits and vegetables tested, the majority of which, 203, were on over 95% of all conventionally grown samples of Dirty Dozen produce, while almost 60% of all Clean Fifteen items had no detectable pesticide residues.
The data used for this year’s guide was drawn from 53,692 samples of 47 fruits and vegetables, and the analysis showed fungicides to be four of the five most frequently detected chemicals in fruit and vegetables: fludioxonil, pyraclostrobin, boscalid, and pyrimethanil, as well as pyrethroids like permethrin and cypermethrin, which recent studies have linked to harm to the developing nervous system, increased risk of breast cancer and type 2 diabetes.
Neonicotinoids such as acetamiprid and imidacloprid were also detected; these insecticides were once thought to be a less-toxic alternative to harmful organophosphates. But emerging evidence suggests they may harm the nervous and reproductive systems. Consuming fruit and vegetables with high levels of pesticide residues may reduce protection against cardiovascular disease and mortality typically associated with eating produce.
The Dirty Dozen
Fludioxonil and pyrimethanil were found in the highest average concentrations of any pesticides found on the Dirty Dozen. Both fungicides may be endocrine disruptors with the potential to harm the male reproductive system, reduce ovarian function, and pose a threat to child health.
Overall, 75% of all conventional fresh produce sampled had residues of potentially harmful pesticides. However, among the items on the Dirty Dozen, 96% of the samples contained pesticides. Of the 47 foods included in EWG’s analysis, the following were the most contaminated, and are known as the Dirty Dozen:
- Spinach
- Strawberries
- Kale, collard and mustard greens
- Grapes
- Peaches
- Cherries
- Nectarines
- Pears
- Apples
- Blackberries
- Blueberries
- Potatoes
96% of samples of all 12 types of produce showed pesticides. 203 pesticides were found on the Dirty Dozen, with all but cherries showing over 50 pesticides. Potatoes averaged two pesticides, while all other items averaged four or more on individual samples. Green beans, spinach, bell and hot peppers, kale, collard and mustard greens topped the list of the Dirty Dozen on the basis of the level and toxicity of pesticides detected.
The Clean Fifteen
- Pineapple
- Sweet corn (fresh and frozen)
- Avocados
- Papaya
- Onions
- Sweet peas (frozen)
- Asparagus
- Cabbage
- Watermelon
- Cauliflower
- Bananas
- Mangoes
- Carrots
- Mushrooms
- Kiwi
Of the 47 types sampled, close to 60% of the clean fifteen samples had no detectable pesticide residues. However, 16% of all samples had residues of 2 or more pesticides, and no samples had residues from more than three. Bananas, avocados, papayas, pineapples, onions, and sweet corn are among the fruit and vegetables with the lowest rankings, including overall toxicity.
Legal Does Not Mean Safe
Fungicides are applied to produce items to prevent or kill fungal diseases, and they are often applied to keep produce mold-free on the way to market.
Potential human health harms of fungicides aren’t as well studied as other pesticides, but emerging evidence suggests many widely used fungicides may disrupt the hormone system.
According to the EWG, “For the 75 percent of conventional produce with detectable pesticides, nearly all the levels found by USDA and FDA tests fall within the legal limits allowed by government regulations.
But legal does not always mean safe.
Pesticides are toxic by design. Although they’re intended to kill pests such as fungi, insects, and plants, many pesticides are also linked to serious human health issues, including hormone disruption, brain and nervous system toxicity, and cancer. These hazards have been recognized by independent scientists and U.S. and international government agencies.”
EWG Tips On Washing
“Washing and/or peeling your produce can significantly reduce the levels of pesticides found on fruits and vegetables. But it doesn’t remove all pesticides.
The data used to create EWG’s Shopper’s Guide to Pesticides in Produce comes from USDA tests conducted on produce prepared as it would be at home. This means the samples are washed under running water for about 15 to 20 seconds and/or, when applicable, peeled before being tested for pesticides.
For example, blueberries and peaches are washed, and bananas are peeled before they’re tested. Because all produce has been cleaned before analysis, whether a piece of produce is washed at home would not change its ranking in the Shopper’s Guide.
For all produce, organic or non-organic, EWG recommends shoppers briefly wash produce under running water, which can reduce some pesticide residues and the risk of developing foodborne illnesses.
EWG does not recommend using fruit and vegetable washes, sold in stores or online and marketed to consumers, to remove residues from produce. EWG has not evaluated these products for efficacy or potential toxicity.”
Conclusion
Every year, the Environmental Working Group (EWG) publishes a list of the Dirty Dozen and Clean Fifteen, describing the most contaminated and lowest amounts of pesticide/fungicide residue found on produce to help consumers make informed choices.
Everyone needs to consume a variety of fruits and vegetables; the health benefits outweigh the risks. Just because an item is on the Dirty Dozen list does not mean that you should stop eating it; you just need to wash it very thoroughly and choose an organic option whenever possible. Studies link diets higher in organic produce with lower exposure to synthetic pesticides, and other studies show that pesticide levels within the body drop after switching to an organic diet but increase again if conventionally grown produce is returned to.
Results from this year show that the overall picture still remains problematic in that too many pesticides are still being found in too high quantities on too much of the produce that is making it into the diet of millions of Americans every day.
To see the full list of 47 fruits and vegetables and how they rank on the Dirty Dozen and Clean Fifteen, click here.
As with anything you read on the internet, this article on the Dirty Dozen and Clean Fifteen should not be construed as medical advice; please talk to your doctor or primary care provider before changing your wellness routine. WHN does not agree or disagree with any of the materials posted. This article is not intended to provide a medical diagnosis, recommendation, treatment, or endorsement. Additionally, it is not intended to malign any religion, ethnic group, club, organization, company, individual, or anyone or anything. These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration.
