Health & Wellness, Nutrition
A Guide to Pesticides in Produce
The Dirty Dozen and Clean Fifteen: A Guide to Pesticides in Produce
The “Dirty Dozen” and “Clean Fifteen” are annual lists published by the Environmental Working Group (EWG), a non-profit organization focused on environmental health.
These lists are based on analysis of USDA and FDA testing data for pesticide residues on conventional (non-organic) fruits and vegetables.
The Dirty Dozen highlights the 12 items with the highest pesticide levels, recommending you prioritize organic versions to minimize exposure.
The Clean Fifteen lists the 15 items with the lowest residue levels, for which conventional options are generally safer.
The most recent full lists are from the 2024 EWG Shopper’s Guide to Pesticides in Produce (released in March 2024), which draws on tests conducted between 2022 and 2023.
As of November 2025, the 2025 guide has not yet been released—EWG typically updates it annually in spring based on the prior year’s data.
When available, you can find it on the official EWG website.
2024 Dirty Dozen (Buy Organic When Possible)
These items showed the highest traces of pesticides, with 95% of samples containing residues and some having up to 23 different pesticides:
- Strawberries
- Spinach
- Kale, collard, and mustard greens
- Grapes
- Peaches
- Pears
- Nectarines
- Apples
- Bell and hot peppers
- Cherries
- Blueberries
- Green beans
2024 Clean Fifteen (Conventional is Usually Fine)
These had the lowest pesticide residues, with nearly 65% of samples showing no detectable pesticides and no item exceeding three types:
- Avocados
- Sweet corn
- Pineapples
- Onions
- Papaya
- Sweet peas (frozen)
- Asparagus
- Honeydew melon
- Kiwi
- Cabbage
- Watermelon
- Mushrooms
- Mangoes
- Sweet potatoes
- Carrots
Tips for Use: Aim to eat more fruits and veggies overall—pesticides are a concern, but the health benefits outweigh the risks.
For the Dirty Dozen, opt for organic to reduce exposure by up to 80%.
Note that items like sweet corn and papaya on the Clean Fifteen may include GMO varieties, so choose organic if avoiding GMOs.
Sources
- Environmental Working Group (EWG). (2024). Shopper’s Guide to Pesticides in Produce™. https://www.ewg.org/foodnews/
- Green Matters. (2024, March 20). EWG’s Dirty Dozen and Clean Fifteen Lists 2024: How to Shop for Veggies. https://www.greenmatters.com/health-and-wellness/dirty-dozen-list-2024
- Food Safety Magazine. (2024, March 20). EWG Publishes 2024 Dirty Dozen List of Produce Most Contaminated With Pesticides. https://www.food-safety.com/articles/9329-ewg-publishes-2024-dirty-dozen-list-of-produce-most-contaminated-with-pesticides
- mindbodygreen. (2024, April 4). Dirty Dozen & Clean 15 List 2024: Which Foods Made It?. https://www.mindbodygreen.com/articles/ewg-dirty-dozen-and-clean-15-lists
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