The Environmental Working Group or the EWG is a nonprofit organization who publish the Clean Fifteen and the Dirty Dozen lists every year. This is where they show which fruits and vegetables have the most and least pesticide residues on them based on American data from the USDA. There’s similar reporting done in Europe by the EFSA, but unfortunately nobody turns that into the same kind of consumer-friendly list.

So, here’s what’s on the Dirty Dozen for 2026: Blueberries, potatoes, pears, blackberries, apples, cherries, peaches, nectarines, grapes, strawberries, kale, collard, and mustard greens, and spinach.

These foods had the highest pesticide residue levels according to the EWG’s analysis.

The good news though is the Clean Fifteen list which had the lowest, and those are: pineapples, sweet corn, avocados, papaya, onion, sweet peas, asparagus, cabbage, cauliflower, watermelon, mangoes, bananas, carrots, mushrooms, and kiwi.

You’ll notice that a lot of those have skins that can be peeled away, and that helps get rid of some exposure.

But what’s the big deal? Why should we care? The EWG points out that many pesticides are linked to serious health issues, with babies and children being particularly susceptible to pesticide exposure (there is still scientific debate about how significant the levels found residually in food are for human health). According to the EWG, the legal limits which conventional farming must stick to don’t protect people adequately. They point out research suggesting that lower urinary pesticide levels are associated with improved health outcomes. You can find the links to that research in the FAQ section of their website.

None of this is a reason to avoid conventionally grown fruits and vegetables though. Really, the EWG are clear that everyone should eat plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables. The health benefits of such a diet outweigh the risks of pesticide exposure. The research on the importance of fruit and vegetables is clear and consistent. We really need them, whether organic or not.

So, the EWG aren’t trying to stress anyone out. It’s about providing information so that you can make an informed decision based on availability and affordability for you. The good news is that organic produce is becoming more available and, in many cases, affordable every year as public awareness and demand grows, and there are many brilliant local farmers now too who are growing organic foods, and they would love your support. I’m not associated with the EWG in any way. I just really like the work that they’re doing. You can check out the full list and the FAQ on ewg.org.