2017 Shopper’s Guide to Pesticides in Produce

The Dirty Dozen Plus

These are the fruits and veggies highest in pesticide residues — and the ones most worth buying organic. The closer to the top of the list an item appears, the more pesticides it contains. The “Plus” category is for fresh produce that doesn't meet EWG’s usual criteria for inclusion but is often contaminated with highly toxic insecticides. For the complete ranking of 48 foods, go to ewg.org.

Strawberries

Spinach

Nectarines

Apples

Peaches

Pears

Cherries

Grapes

Celery

Tomatoes

Sweet bell peppers

Potatoes

PLUS

Hot peppers

The Clean Fifteen

This is the fresh produce lowest in pesticide residue (shown from least to most). You don't need to choose organic versions of these items unless you want to. Sweet corn and papayas are starred (*) because they are sometimes grown from genetically modified seeds. If you want to be sure to avoid GMOs, go organic.

Sweet corn*

Avocados

Pineapples

Cabbage Onions

Sweet peas (frozen)

Papayas*

Asparagus

Mangos

Eggplant

Honeydew

melon Kiwi

Cantaloupe

Cauliflower

Grapefruit