What are the “Dirty Dozen” Produce?

Washing fruits and vegetables

The “Dirty Dozen” is a list of the twelve produce items with the most pesticide contamination as sold in grocery stores. This list is produced annually by the Environmental Working Group (EWG)

The twelve worst offenders for 2022 are:

• strawberries
• spinach
• kale, collard and mustard greens
• nectarines
• apples
• grapes
• bell and hot peppers
• cherries
• peaches
• pears
• celery
• tomatoes

The EWG also produces a list called the “Clean Fifteen.” These are produce types with the least pesticide residue. Many are covered with an inedible peel, which keeps the part you eat free of chemicals. This list for 2022 includes:

• avocados
• sweet corn
• pineapple
• onions
• papaya
• frozen sweet peas
• asparagus
• honeydew melon
• kiwi
• cabbage
• mushrooms
• cantaloupe
• mango
• watermelon
• sweet potatoes

The testing of produce that informs these lists was done by the US Department of Agriculture and the US Food and Drug Administration. 

Pesticides have numerous health effects on humans, including impacts on the nervous system, skin, eyes, and hormones. Some pesticides may cause cancer.

To reduce your family’s exposure to toxic pesticides on produce, be sure to wash fruits and vegetables properly and thoroughly before eating or cooking them.