What are these lists?
A comparison—not a safety verdict.
EWG analyzes recent USDA pesticide-residue testing. The Dirty Dozen identifies the 12 conventional produce items with the highest scores among those analyzed; the Clean Fifteen identifies the 15 with the lowest. Since 2025, EWG’s ranking has considered residue presence, amount, number, and toxicity.
How can I use the guide?
Use it when it helps.
If reducing pesticide exposure matters to you, consider organic versions of Dirty Dozen items when practical. Conventional Clean Fifteen choices may help stretch your budget.
What does it not mean?
Do not skip produce.
These names compare relative residue scores. “Clean” does not mean pesticide-free, and the lists are not a reason to skip fruits or vegetables.
2026 visual produce guide
The 2026 Dirty Dozen
The 12 conventional produce items with the highest pesticide-residue scores in EWG’s 2026 analysis.
- 1.Spinach
- 2.Kale, collard & mustard greens
- 3.Strawberries
- 4.Grapes
- 5.Nectarines
- 6.Peaches
- 7.Cherries
- 8.Apples
- 9.Blackberries
- 10.Pears
- 11.Potatoes
- 12.Blueberries
2026 visual produce guide
The 2026 Clean Fifteen
The 15 conventional produce items with the lowest pesticide-residue scores in EWG’s 2026 analysis.
- 1.Pineapple
- 2.Sweet corn (fresh & frozen)
- 3.Avocados
- 4.Papaya
- 5.Onions
- 6.Sweet peas (frozen)
- 7.Asparagus
- 8.Cabbage
- 9.Cauliflower
- 10.Watermelon
- 11.Mangoes
- 12.Bananas
- 13.Carrots
- 14.Mushrooms
- 15.Kiwi
Organic does not mean unsprayed
Certified-organic farming may use approved crop-protection substances. Organic describes a regulated production system; it does not mean pesticide-free. Buy organic when it fits your goals and budget, without feeling that conventional produce is a failure.
A 2026 detail worth knowing
EWG places green beans and bell and hot peppers just below the Dirty Dozen and notes that they also ranked high for pesticide toxicity. They are not part of the numbered 12-item list.