What to Know about the ‘Dirty Dozen’ and Pesticide Residue on Produce
Lindsay Knake
| 3 min read
Key Takeaways
- The Environmental Working Group has released its list of the "Dirty Dozen," which includes 12 fruits, vegetables and greens with the highest pesticide residue.
- The "Dirty Dozen" includes spinach, kale, collard greens and mustard greens, strawberries, grapes, nectarines, peaches, cherries, apples, blackberries, pears, potatoes and blueberries.
- The health benefits of eating fruits and vegetables far outweigh the potential risks from pesticide residues; wash produce in low-pressure, running water and eating a wide variety of produce to reduce repeated exposure to any one pesticide.
The Environmental Working Group’s (EWG) has released its list of the “Dirty Dozen™,” a report of the 12 fruits, vegetables and greens with the highest pesticide residue. The list is based on data from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
The USDA washed or peeled each sample before testing to mimic how people handle produce at home. The researchers looked at 54,344 samples of 47 fruits and vegetables and found traces of 264 pesticides, and 203 of those were on the “Dirty Dozen.”
The “Dirty Dozen” includes:
- Spinach
- Kale, collard greens and mustard greens
- Strawberries
- Grapes
- Nectarines
- Peaches
- Cherries
- Apples
- Blackberries
- Pears
- Potatoes
- Blueberries
The EWG report examined the number of pesticides on the produce in addition to the toxicity of the pesticides as observed in animal studies. About 75% of non-organic fruit and vegetable samples had pesticide residues.
Pesticides can be harmful to your health by disrupting hormone and reproductive systems and harming the nervous system, especially during development and early life. Children are more susceptible to pesticides, which can cause learning problems and cancer, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics. Exposure during pregnancy can lead to an increased risk of birth defects, low birth weight and fetal death. Pesticides are also linked to heart disease and cancer.
The EWG report found 60% of the “Dirty Dozen” contain residues of perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), also known as “forever chemicals.” These pesticides can take decades to break down, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and they are linked to many health issues, including:
- Cancer
- Obesity
- Thyroid disease
- High cholesterol
- Decreased fertility
- Liver damage
- Hormone disruption
- Immune system damage
The EWG report also found the “Clean 15,” or the produce with the lowest amounts of pesticide residue.
- Pineapples
- Sweet corn
- Avocadoes
- Papaya
- Onion
- Frozen sweet peas
- Asparagus
- Cabbage
- Cauliflower
- Watermelon
- Mangoes
- Bananas
- Carrots
- Mushrooms
- Kiwis
Safely eating fruits and vegetables
It’s important to know the EWG report shows detectable pesticide residue rather than which foods are unsafe to eat. The EPA sets strict safety limits for pesticide residues, and most produce falls below those safety thresholds. While the “Dirty Dozen” can seem dangerous, not eating enough fruits and vegetables is associated with higher risk of heart disease, cancer and other chronic conditions.
The health benefits of eating fruits and vegetables far outweigh the potential risks from pesticide residues. About 90% of Americans don’t eat enough daily servings of vegetables, and 80% of Americans don’t eat enough fruit, according to the USDA. Vitamins and nutrients such as fiber in produce are essential for overall health.
While the “Dirty Dozen” can seem like a scary list, it’s healthiest to wash fruits, vegetables and greens and get enough in your diet.
Here are ways to manage your produce:
- Wash your produce in low-pressure, running water that’s warmer than the produce to reduce residues and dirt.
- Use a colander to spin greens and wash the colander afterward.
- Peel or trim produce as appropriate to reduce residue, such as apples and cucumbers.
- Eat a wide variety of produce, including from the “Dirty Dozen” and “Clean 15” lists to reduce repeated exposure to any one pesticide.
- Buy organic version of the produce with higher levels of pesticide residue.
Image: Getty Images
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