The Environmental Working Group (EWG) is an American activist group that specializes in research and advocacy in the areas of agricultural subsidies, toxic chemicals, drinking water pollutants, and corporate accountability.
Every year the EWG publishes a list called the "Dirty Dozen.” This list covers which of the fruits and vegetables have the highest amount of pesticides when grown conventionally versus organically. The EWG suggests to purchase the organic versions of these produce to avoid as many toxins as possible.
The EWG has compiled this list annually since 2004 based on internal data that's not peer-reviewed. They use thousands of samples for 40+ different types of produce to compile the Dirty Dozen list. See below for the list.
If you're concerned about pesticides, the EWG also publishes a list called the "Clean 15.” The Clean 15 is a list of produce from conventional growers that generally had less residue in the group tests. See below for the Clean 15 list.
Print both of these lists out and keep it on you as you shop around at your local grocery store. This way you can avoid as many toxins as possible!
1. Strawberries
2. Spinach
3. Kale
4. Nectarines
5. Apples
6. Grapes
7. Peaches
8. Cherries
9. Pears
10. Tomatoes
11. Celery
12. Potatoes
1. Avocados
2. Sweet corn
3. Pineapple
4. Onions
5. Papaya
6. Sweet peas (frozen)
7. Eggplants
8. Asparagus
9. Cauliflower
10. Cantaloupes
11. Broccoli
12. Mushrooms
13. Cabbage
14. Honeydew melon
15. Kiwifruit
https://www.ewg.org/foodnews/about.php
https://www.ewg.org/foodnews/dirty-dozen.php
https://www.ewg.org/foodnews/clean-fifteen.php
