The 2023 Updated Clean 15 & Dirty Dozen Foods List and Why it Matters
The Environmental Working Group (EWG) is a non-profit, non-partisan organization who focuses on protecting human health and the environment. Each year they test and analyze foods for harmful pesticide residue and provide results in the EWG Shopper’s Guide to Pesticides. The top 15 foods with the least pesticides are called the Clean 15, while the 12 foods with the most pesticides are called the Dirty Dozen. But the list doesn't stop there. There are many foods in between. (Check out our full list below).
Are Foods treated with Pesticides harmful?
75 percent of non-organic fruits and vegetables sold in the U.S. contain potentially toxic agricultural chemicals, according to the EWG’s 2023 Shopper’s Guide to Pesticides.
Many peer-reviewed scientific studies have shown disturbing links between pesticides and health issues to children and adults, alike. Devon Payne-Sturges DrPH, an associate professor at the University of Maryland School of Public Health in College Park says pesticides can damage the brain and nervous system and even low levels have been linked to cancer, reproductive issues, and other health problems. “Pesticides are chemicals that are specifically designed to kill living organisms.” says Devon Payne-Sturges.
Research from Harvard University shows that consuming fruits and vegetables with high levels of pesticide residues may lessen the benefits of fruit and vegetable consumption, including protection against cardiovascular disease and mortality.
2023 Dirty Dozen List
Make sure to keep this list with you at your next trip to the grocery store so to know when to buy organic and when it’s safe to buy conventional. If they are on the Dirty Dozen list, they have been treated with harmful pesticides so you must buy organic when possible, grow your own or buy from a trusted farmer that you know doesn't use harmful pesticides. Soaking and rinsing fruits and vegetables only removes the dirt. The pesticides seep into the skin so it's important to buy organic if they are on this lists. You'll pay more now but isn't your health worth it? These are in order of "dirtiness". Strawberries are the most contaminated
- Strawberries
- Spinach
- Kale, collard and mustard greens
- Peaches
- Pears
- Nectarines
- Apples
- Grapes
- Bell peppers and hot peppers
- Cherries
- Blueberries
- Green beans
2023 Clean 15 List
Foods on this list have very little, if any, pesticide residue so they are safe to buy conventional (not organic). If you want to buy organic, that is fine, but you really don't need to. Papayas, however, are often genetically modified so if you are avoiding GMO foods (which I would recommend that you do), you should not buy GMO papayas and buy organic. This list in order of "cleanliness". Avocados are the least contaminated.
- Avocados
- Sweet corn
- Pineapples
- Onions
- Papayas
- Sweet peas
- Asparagus
- Honeydew melons
- Kiwi
- Cabbage
- Mushrooms
- Mangoes
- Sweet potatoes
- Watermelon
- Carrots
How can I tell if a produce is organic or non-organic?
- Organically grown fruits and vegetables have labels with five digits starting with the number 9.
- Conventionally grown fruits and vegetables have labels with four digits.
- Produce with label that has five digits starting with the number 8, means genetically engineered.
What if a Food is not on either list?
The EWG tests 46 fruits and vegetables for pesticide residues. If a food didn't make the clean or dirty list, it will fall somewhere in between. The first 12 are the “Dirty Dozen” and the last 15 are the “Clean 15.”
Full List of 46 Foods tested for Pesticides
(starting with the Dirty Dozen)
- Strawberries
- Spinach
- Kale, collard & mustard greens
- Peaches
- Pears
- Nectarines
- Apples
- Grapes
- Bell & hot Peppers
- Cherries
- Blueberries
- Green Beans
(foods falling between dirty and clean list) - Tomatoes
- Winter squash
- Celery
- Potatoes
- Cherry Tomatoes
- Lettuce
- Tangerines
- Cucumbers
- Broccoli
- Summer squash (zucchini and yellow squash)*
- Plums
- Eggplant
- Raspberries
- Grapefruit
- Snap Peas
- Oranges
- Cantaloupe
- Bananas
- Cauliflower
(Clean foods list starts) - Carrots
- Watermelon
- Sweet Potatoes
- Mangoes
- Mushrooms
- Cabbage
- Kiwi
- Honeydew melon
- Asparagus
- Sweet peas
- Papaya*
- Onions
- Pineapple
- Sweet corn*
- Avocados
What about Genetically Modified Organisms (GMO) foods?
While foods on the clean list may not have harmful pesticides, you may still want to make sure they are not GMOs. Per the EWG, some sweet corn, papaya, and summer squash (zucchini and yellow squash) sold in the United States is produced from genetically modified seeds. Buy organic varieties of these crops if you want to avoid genetically modified produce. GMO Corn may also be used in processed foods containing corn syrup, corn oil, popcorn and others. Look for corn syrup in candies, cereal, granola bars and more. Also, products using soybean oil such as salad dressings, cakes, icing, fried snacks, spray oils, mayonnaise and more are also likely to have have GMO ingredients.By law, foods that are genetically modified foods must be labeled as such, but some sneaky food companies want to avoid having that GMO label on their product so they have added to the nutritional label as "Food contains bioengineered ingredients" or "Produced with Genetic Engineering" among others. Look for the Non-GMO Project Verified labels and you can trust the food is GMO-free.
Can an Organic food also by Genetically Modified?
NO! According to the USDA Department of Agriculture, foods that are genetically modified organisms (GMOs), are prohibited in organic products. This means an organic farmer can't plant GMO seeds, an organic cow can't eat GMO alfalfa or corn, and an organic soup producer can't use any GMO ingredients.
To meet the USDA organic regulations, farmers and processors must show they aren’t using GMOs and that they are protecting their products from contact with prohibited substances from farm to table.
