The Dirtiest and Cleanest Fruits and Vegetables
Talk about a poison apple.
Most conventionally grown apples are treated with pesticides and other chemicals, and are consistently near the top of the list of pesticide-laced produce, according to the Environmental Working Group, a non-profit that advocates for public health.
And that kale you're eating isn't just rich in fiber, vitamins, and antioxidants -- it's got plenty of pesticides, too. Most of the kale tested by the USDA was found to have pesticide residues, including one chemical that is classified by the Environmental Protection Agency as a possible human carcinogen, and is prohibited for use in Europe, EWG says.
Nearly 70% of the produce sold in the U.S. comes with pesticide residues, according to EWG's analysis of test data from the USDA.
Overall, USDA data shows 225 different pesticides and pesticide breakdown products on the produce that Americans eat every day -- and that's after these fruits and vegetables were washed and peeled.
EWG ranks the levels pesticide contamination on 47 popular fruits and vegetables based on an analysis of more than 40,900 samples taken by the USDA and FDA. The USDA doesn't test every food every year, so EWG generally uses data from the most recent 1- or 2-year sampling period for each food.
Based on EWG's ranking, these are the popular fruits and vegetables with the most and the least pesticide residue.
The Dirtiest and Cleanest Fruits and Vegetables in 2019:
1. Strawberries
Last tested: 2015-2016
Strawberries are once again at the top of the list EWG's "Dirty Dozen" fruits and vegetables with the most pesticide residue. Even after they were rinsed and washed, 99% of strawberries had detectable residues of at least one pesticide. EWG recommends buying organic for these worst offenders.
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2. Spinach
Last tested: 2016
Federal data shows that conventionally grown spinach has more pesticide residues by weight than all other produce tested, with three-fourths of samples tested contaminated with a neurotoxic bug killer banned from use on food crops in Europe, according to EWG.
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3. Kale
Last tested: 2017
The USDA had not tested kale for almost a decade. But even as its popularity as a food rich in vitamins and antioxidants has soared, the level and number of pesticide residues found on kale has increased significantly.
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4. Nectarines
Last tested: 2014-2015
Some of the residue found on nectarines included neurotoxins and bee toxins.
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5. Apples
Last tested: 2015-2016
Apples were found to contain an average of 4.4 different pesticide residues. In 2014, EWG reported that a pesticide called DPA was widely used on non-organic American apples. DPA was banned in the European Union in 2012 because its makers could not show it did not pose a risk to human health.
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6. Grapes
Last tested: 2016
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7. Peaches
Last tested: 2014-2015
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8. Cherries
Last tested: 2014-2016
Some of the 42 pesticides found on cherries by the USDA contain neurotoxins and developmental or reproductive toxins, according to What'sOnMyFood.org.
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9. Pears
Last tested: 2016
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10. Tomatoes
Last tested: 2015-2016
Standard tomatoes are tested separately from cherry tomatoes.
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11. Celery
Last tested: 2014
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12. Potatoes
Last tested: 2016
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13. Sweet Bell Peppers
Last tested: 2011-2012
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14. Cherry Tomatoes
Last tested: 2012
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15. Lettuce
Last tested: 2015-2016
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16. Cucumbers
Last tested: 2015-2017
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17. Blueberries
Last tested: 2014
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18. Hot Peppers
Last tested: 2010-2011
This year, EWG added hot peppers to its list, though they don't meet the usual ranking criteria. Peppers were found to be contaminated with insecticides toxic to the human nervous system. The insecticides are banned on some crops but still allowed on hot peppers.
EWG recommends that people who frequently eat hot peppers buy organic; alternatively, cook them, because pesticide levels typically diminish when food is cooked.
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19. Plums
Last tested: 2012-2013
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20. Green Beans
Last tested: 2013-2016
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21. Tangerines
Last tested: 2012
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22. Raspberries
Last tested: 2013
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23. Grapefruit
Last tested: 2015-2017
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24. Winter Squashes
Last tested: 2012-2013
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25. Snap Peas
Last tested: 2017
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26. Carrots
Last tested: 2014
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27. Oranges
Last tested: 2016
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28. Summer Squashes
Last tested: 2012-2014
A small amount of summer squash sold in the U.S. is produced from genetically modified seeds. EWG recommends buying organic varieties if you want to avoid genetically modified squash.
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29. Mangoes
Last tested: 2017
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30. Bananas
Last tested: 2012-2014
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31. Sweet Potatoes
Last tested: 2016-2017
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32. Watermelons
Last tested: 2014-2015
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As the ranking continues, the following are actually the cleanest 15 fruits and vegetables for 2019:
These fruits and vegetables have few, if any, detected pesticide residues, according to EWG. More than 70% of EWG's "Clean Fifteen" fruit and vegetable samples had no pesticide residues at all.
33. Honeydew Melons
Last tested: 2008-2015
The USDA doesn't test honeydew melons, so EWG uses data from the FDA's pesticide monitoring for these crops.
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34. Mushrooms
Last tested: 2012-2013
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35. Broccoli
Last tested: 2014
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36. Cantaloupes
Last tested: 2010-2012
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37. Cauliflower
Last tested: 2012-2013
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38. Cabbages
Last tested: 2017
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39. Kiwis
Last tested: 2008-2016
The USDA doesn't test kiwis, so EWG uses data from the FDA's pesticide monitoring for these fuzzy fruits.
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40. Asparagus
Last tested: 2009-2010, 2017
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41. Eggplants
Last tested: 20
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42. Papayas
Last tested: 2011-2012
A small amount of papayas sold in the U.S. is produced from genetically-modified seeds, so if you want to avoid genetically-modified produce, EWG recommends buying organic papayas.
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43. Onions
Last tested: 2017
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44. Sweet Peas, Frozen
Last tested: 2003
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45. Pineapples
Last tested: 2002
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46. Sweet Corn
Last tested: 2014-2015
Sweet corn is among the cleanest, with less than 1% of samples with any detectable pesticides. A small amount of sweet corn sold in the U.S. is produced from genetically-modified seeds, so EWG recommends buying organic if you want to avoid genetically-modified corn.
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47. Avocados
Last tested: 2012
If you like avocados, rejoice, because this is the cleanest on the list - less than 1% of samples showed any detectable pesticides. They're good for you too: avocados are rich in fiber and healthy fats, as well as vitamins and potassium.
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You can get a copy of this list from EWG, and also look up EWG's health scores for a range of foods, or download their app. Visit the USDA's Pesticide Data Program site for detailed information on pesticide residue monitoring.
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