Every year, ewg.com release the Dirty Dozen and Clean Fifteen report. It’s a list of different foods that have the most and the least pesticide residue.The guide is based on analysis of the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Pesticide Data Program report.
“Eating plenty of fruits and vegetables is essential no matter how they’re grown, but for the items with the heaviest pesticide loads, we urge shoppers to buy organic,” Sonya Lunder, EWG senior analyst, said in a news release.”
The group identified the following items on its “Dirty Dozen” list of produce with the most pesticide residue:
- Strawberries
- Spinach
- Nectarines
- Apples
- Peaches
- Celery
- Grapes
- Pears
- Cherries
- Tomatoes
- Sweet bell peppers
- Potatoes
The group also identifies the “Clean 15” or items in the report with the least likelihood to contain pesticide residue:
- Sweet corn
- Avocados
- Pineapples
- Cabbage
- Onions
- Frozen sweet peas
- Papayas
- Asparagus
- Mangoes
- Eggplant
- Honeydew
- Kiwifruit
- Cantaloupe
- Cauliflower
- Grapefruit
Of course, buying organic is ideal, but sometimes the cost becomes a burden, this list allows you a little bit of breathing room.
