The Dirty Dozen and Clean Fifteen

We don’t always buy organic produce, but we make sure to stick to organic when it comes to the “dirty dozen”. The “dirty dozen” are the 12 fruits and vegetables (when conventionally grown) that test highest for chemicals. They all tested positive for at least 47 different chemicals, some testing positive for as many as 67.

Here is the EWG’s updated list…

Dirty Dozen:

1. Strawberries
2. Apples
3. Nectarines
4. Peaches
5. Celery
6. Grapes
7. Cherries
8. Spinach
9. Tomatoes
10. Sweet bell peppers
11. Cherry tomatoes
12. Cucumbers

The following produce have been on “dirty dozen” lists in past years but were recently beat out by the produce listed above, so they are on my personal “only eat organic” list as well.

I would also avoid buying these if not organic:

• Domestic Blueberries
• Hot Peppers
• Any Leafy Greens
• Corn (most conventional corn is GMO)
• Papayas (most conventional papayas are GMO)
• Snap Pease (they are 13th on the list)

Clean Fifteen:

1. Avocados
2. Sweet Corn (*although no or few pesticides, non-organic is most likely GMO)
3. Pineapples
4. Cabbage
5. Sweet peas (frozen)
6. Onions
7. Asparagus
8. Mangos
9. Papayas (*although no or few pesticides, non-organic is most likely GMO)
10. Kiwi
11. Eggplant
12. Honeydew Melon
13. Grapefruit
14. Cantaloupe
15. Cauliflower

Many of the fruits on the clean fifteen list have a protective skin that helps keep pesticides out even when they are sprayed with chemicals.

Although not on the list… I also buy organic hot peppers and all leafy greens (even though only some made the dirty dozen list). Click here to read why.

Want to see a full list of 50 produce items ranked from most to least pesticides? Click here!