When Buying Organic Matters

The Environmental Working Group (EWG) is a non-profit organization dedicated to empowering consumers to make healthier choices and advocate for safer products, food, and environmental practices. For over two decades, the EWG has been at the forefront of research and transparency, analyzing everything from pesticides in produce to chemicals in personal care products.

One of their most well-known contributions is their annual Shopper’s Guide to Pesticides in Produce, which helps consumers make informed decisions at the grocery store by identifying fruits and vegetables with the highest and lowest pesticide residues.

Each year, the EWG tests produce samples collected by the USDA and FDA to assess pesticide contamination after washing and peeling. The results are distilled into two helpful lists that are listed below.

THE CLEAN 15

These 15 items had the lowest amounts of pesticide residues, according to EWG’s analysis of the most recent USDA data.

1. Pineapple

2. Sweet Corn (fresh & frozen)

3. Avocado

4. Papaya

5. Onion

6. Sweet Peas (frozen)

7. Asparagus

8. Cabbage

9. Watermelon

10. Cauliflower

11. Bananas

12. Mangos

13. Carrots

14. Mushrooms

15. Kiwi

THE DIRTY DOZEN

Of the 47 items included in our analysis, these 12 fruits and vegetables were most contaminated with pesticides:

1. Spinach

2. Strawberries

3. Kale, Collard, & Mustard Greens

4. Grapes

5. Peaches

6. Cherries

7. Nectarines

8. Pears

9. Apples

10. Blackberries

11. Blueberries

12. Potatoes