Pesticide Residue Awareness: Dirty Dozen, Clean Fifteen & Glyphosate-Sprayed Crops
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Not all produce is created equal when it comes to chemical exposure. That’s why the Environmental Working Group (EWG) tests crops yearly to release two key lists:
2024 Dirty Dozen (Highest in Pesticide Residues):
- Strawberries
- Spinach
- Kale, collard & mustard greens
- Grapes
- Peaches
- Pears
- Nectarines
- Apples
- Bell and hot peppers
- Cherries
- Blueberries
- Green beans
These fruits and vegetables are most important to buy organic when possible. Their thin skins and leafy surfaces tend to hold onto pesticide residues even after washing.
2024 Clean Fifteen (Lowest in Pesticide Residues):
- Avocados
- Sweet corn
- Pineapple
- Onions
- Papaya
- Sweet peas
- Asparagus
- Honeydew melon
- Kiwi
- Cabbage
- Watermelon
- Mushrooms
- Mangoes
- Sweet potatoes
- Carrots
These foods are generally safe to buy conventionally, thanks to protective skins or naturally lower pesticide use.
Top 20 Crops Commonly Treated with Glyphosate Before Harvest
- Oats
- Wheat
- Barley
- Lentils
- Chickpeas
- Peas
- Flax
- Canola
- Soybeans
- Corn
- Rye
- Triticale
- Buckwheat
- Sunflower seeds
- Potatoes
- Sugar beets
- Pinto beans
- Navy beans
- Quinoa
- Sorghum
Glyphosate is often sprayed on these crops just before harvest to dry them out for uniform ripening and easier collection. This practice increases the likelihood of chemical residues making their way into final food products like cereals, granola bars, snack foods, and bread.
