EWG’s Full 2026 Dirty Dozen List

The Environmental Working Group has released its 2026 Shopper’s Guide to Pesticides in Produce, ranking fruits and vegetables based on pesticide residue levels using data from the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the Food and Drug Administration. The guide groups produce into three tiers to help inform purchasing decisions.

The Dirty Dozen, identified as having the highest pesticide residues, includes spinach; kale, collard and mustard greens; strawberries; grapes; nectarines; peaches; cherries; apples; blackberries; pears; potatoes; and blueberries. These crops often contain multiple pesticide residues across tested samples.

At the other end of the ranking, the Clean Fifteen includes pineapple; sweet corn; avocados; papaya; onions; frozen sweet peas; asparagus; cabbage; cauliflower; watermelon; mangoes; bananas; carrots; mushrooms; and kiwi. These items consistently show low or minimal detectable pesticide residues in testing.

Produce that falls between these categories represents a middle tier with moderate residue levels. While not formally ranked as a single list, this group includes commonly consumed items such as green beans, peppers, tomatoes, cucumbers, and citrus fruits, which carry residue levels between the Dirty Dozen and the Clean Fifteen.

EWG reports that a majority of conventional produce samples contain detectable pesticide residues, though typically within federal safety limits. The organization recommends prioritizing organic options for higher-residue crops while maintaining overall produce consumption.

Sources: Environmental Working Group. “Shopper’s Guide to Pesticides in Produce 2026.” U.S. Department of Agriculture. Pesticide Data Program. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Pesticide Residue Monitoring Program.

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