EWG's Shopper’s Guide to Pesticides in Produce™ has released a "Dirty Dozen" and "Clean Fifteen" list every year since 2004. Their goal is to rank the top 47 popular fruits and vegetables that contain pesticides. This is very important to their customers as it helps families make the best choices to reduce exposure to toxic pesticides.
Lots of controversy surrounds this list as The Packer Reports:
"The fresh produce industry has long argued that the Dirty Dozen list is harmful because it discourages people from eating fresh produce, which is critical to good health and especially essential in combating obesity and other diet-related diseases prevalent in the U.S. Peer-reviewed research has shown this effect is particularly damaging for lower-income households."
Even if a fruit or vegetable makes the "Dirty Dozen" we encourage you to consume these items but look for organic and conventional farms that limit the use of pesticides. If you notice the list is full essential produce that should remain our diet to boost our immunity and prevent illness. Everything in moderation.
Whether you consider this list good or bad our goal is make sure our customers stay informed. We use the "Clean Fifteen" list to know what produce we can make easily accessible as you keep your health and the health of your family in mind. We encourage farms to look for alternatives to pesticides and take the organic and holistic approach.
EWG's Clean Fifteen for 2020:
Avocados
Sweet corn
Pineapple
Onions
Papaya
Sweet peas (frozen)
Eggplants
Asparagus
Cauliflower
Cantaloupes
Broccoli
Mushrooms
Cabbage
Honeydew melon
Kiwi
EWG's Dirty Dozen for 2020:
Strawberries
Spinach
Kale
Nectarines
Apples
Grapes
Peaches
Cherries
Pears
Tomatoes
Celery
Potatoes
Sources: