2023's Dirty Dozen and Clean 15

So what exactly are the Dirty Dozen and Clean 15?

Every year the Environmental Working Group (EWG) analyzes thousands of samples tested from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to determine which produce contains the least and most pesticide contamination. The EWG uses this information to generate the Dirty Dozen and the Clean 15. The Dirty Dozen are the top 12 produce with the most pesticide contamination, while the Clean 15 are the top 15 produce with the least contamination.

These lists are a great guide to what foods are the most beneficial to buy organic. In other words, what foods are best to buy organic and what foods you can get away with buying non-organic. It helps you get the most bang for your buck. For example, I would rather spend the extra money to buy the organic version of strawberries (highest on the Dirty Dozen) than on avocados (highest on the Clean 15). This would help me avoid as much pesticide contamination in my food as possible.

Why do I trust the EWG? The EWG is a non-profit, non-partisan organization that strives to protect the environment and human health.

The Dirty Dozen (2023):

1. Strawberries

2. Spinach

3. Kale, collard, and mustard greens

4. Peaches

5. Pears

6. Nectarines

7. Apples

8. Grapes

9. Bell & hot Peppers

10. Cherries

11. Blueberries

12. Green Beans

Clean Fifteen (2023):

1. Avocados

2. Sweet corn (buy organic if you would like to avoid GMO produce)

3. Pineapple

4. Onions

5. Papaya (buy organic if you would like to avoid GMO produce)

6. Sweet peas (frozen)

7. Asparagus

8. Honeydew melon

9. Kiwi

10. Cabbage

11. Mushrooms

12. Mangoes

13. Sweet Potatoes

14. Watermelon

15. Carrots

https://www.ewg.org/foodnews/dirty-dozen.php

https://www.ewg.org/foodnews/clean-fifteen.php