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Dirty Dozen Foods List 2025 + the Clean 15

By Joe Boland

June 17, 2025

When shopping for fruits and vegetables, it’s important to know which ones are most likely to carry pesticide residues, even after washing. That’s where the Dirty Dozen and Clean 15 come in.

Every year, the Environmental Working Group (EWG) releases its Shopper’s Guide to Pesticides in Produce, ranking the most and least contaminated conventionally grown fruits and vegetables. The 2025 Dirty Dozen update is here, and it offers essential insight for anyone trying to make safer, healthier choices at the grocery store.

Key 2025 findings

Pesticide exposure is linked to numerous health concerns, including hormone disruption, developmental issues and increased risk of certain conditions. Even after being washed or peeled, many conventionally grown fruits and vegetables still contain pesticide residues.

That’s why EWG analyzed the latest data from tests conducted by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to help consumers make informed decisions.

EWG’s 2025 guide is based on 53,692 samples of 47 fruits and vegetables tested by the USDA. The results were clear: More than 75 percent of conventional, non-organic produce contained pesticide residues. Even worse, more than 95 percent of the conventional produce on the Dirty Dozen list contained pesticides.

Overall, traces of 265 pesticides were found in all the fruit and vegetables tested, with 203 of those found in Dirty Dozen foods.

On the flip side, many foods in the Clean 15 had no detectable pesticide residues, making them a safer choice when buying non-organic. In fact, nearly 60 percent of the Clean 15 produce samples had zero detectable pesticides.

Meanwhile, only 16 percent of Clean 15 samples had residues of two or more pesticides.

Bananas and cauliflower joined the Clean 15 in 2025, while blackberries and potatoes were new entrants in the Dirty Dozen this year.

Dirty Dozen 2025

These are the 12 conventionally grown fruits and vegetables with the highest levels of pesticide residues in 2025:

1. Spinach

2. Strawberries

3. Kale, collards and mustard greens

4. Grapes

5. Peaches

6. Cherries

7. Nectarines

8. Pears

9. Apples

10. Blackberries

11. Blueberries

12. Potatoes

Here are some key findings from the Dirty Dozen:

• Bell peppers, hot peppers and green beans landed just outside the Dirty Dozen, so they’re vegetables you also want to make sure you buy organic.

• A total of 203 pesticides were found on the Dirty Dozen, with samples of all types of produce, except cherries, showing over 50 pesticides.

• Pesticides were found on 96 percent of samples of all 12 types of produce.

• Every item, except potatoes, had on average four or more pesticides detected on individual samples. Potatoes had two, on average.

• Topping the list on the basis of the level and toxicity of detected pesticides were green beans, spinach, bell and hot peppers, kale, and collard and mustard greens.

Clean 15 2025

These are the 15 fruits and vegetables with the lowest levels of pesticide residues:

1. Pineapple

2. Sweet corn (fresh and frozen)

3. Avocados

4. Papaya

5. Onions

6. Sweet peas (frozen)

7. Asparagus

8. Cabbage

9. Watermelon

10. Cauliflower

11. Bananas

12. Mangoes

13. Carrots

14. Mushrooms

15. Kiwi

Here are some key findings from the Clean 15:

• Nearly 60 percent of Clean 15 samples had no detectable pesticide residues.

• Just 16 percent of Clean 15 samples had residues of two or more pesticides.

• Avocado, papaya, pineapples, onion and sweet corn are among the fruit and vegetables with the lowest rankings, including overall toxicity.

• No sample from the top six Clean 15 items had residues of more than three pesticides.

• Bananas, new to the Clean 15, were among the fruits and vegetables with lowest overall pesticide toxicity.

How to avoid pesticides

If you want to lower your pesticide intake, EWG recommends:

• Choosing organic options for the Dirty Dozen when possible.

• Using the Clean 15 as a guide for safer conventional purchases.

• Washing all produce thoroughly, even if it won’t remove all pesticides.

• Considering frozen options, which are sometimes lower in residues.

Here is a bit more on how to avoid pesticides in fresh produce:

1. Buy organic when possible

Focus on buying organic versions of the Dirty Dozen. Organic produce is grown without synthetic pesticides and herbicides, making it the best choice for reducing exposure.

2. Shop the Clean 15

The Clean 15 foods, produce with the lowest pesticide levels, are safer to buy conventionally grown if organic isn't an option.

3. Wash produce thoroughly

Rinse fruits and vegetables under running water. For firmer items like apples or cucumbers, use a brush.

Washing won’t remove all pesticides (especially those that penetrate the skin), but it does help reduce surface residues.

4. Use a natural produce wash

You can soak produce in a solution of baking soda and water (1 teaspoon of baking soda per 2 cups of water for 12-15 minutes) to help remove more pesticides. Alternatively, mix vinegar and water (1:3 ratio), and soak for 10-15 minutes before rinsing thoroughly.

5. Peel when appropriate

Peeling fruits and vegetables like apples, cucumbers or potatoes can remove some of the pesticide residue. Keep in mind, however, that you also lose some fiber and nutrients found in the skin.

6. Buy local and in-season

Local produce is often fresher and may come from farms that use fewer chemicals, even if they aren’t certified organic. In-season produce also tends to require fewer pesticides since it’s grown in its ideal climate and conditions.

7. Grow your own produce

Even a small garden or a few potted plants (like tomatoes, herbs or lettuce) lets you control what goes into your food. It’s one of the most reliable ways to avoid pesticide exposure altogether.

8. Support farmers using integrated pest management (IPM)

Some conventional farms use IPM practices, a holistic approach to managing pests that emphasizes prevention and minimizes the use of pesticides, to minimize pesticide use. Ask questions at farmers markets or look for this label if available.

9. Stay informed

Keep up with the EWG’s Shopper’s Guide to Pesticides in Produce each year to know which items to prioritize for organic.

10. Diversify your produce choices

Eating a wide variety of fruits and vegetables reduces the risk of repeated exposure to the same pesticide residues. Rotating your choices also ensures a broader range of nutrients and minimizes the buildup of any one chemical in your body.

Conclusion

The 2025 Dirty Dozen and Clean 15 lists from EWG offer a science-backed, accessible way to shop smarter. By focusing your organic dollars on the most contaminated items and choosing safer conventional produce from the Clean 15, you can protect your health without breaking your budget.

Whether you’re meal prepping for your family or simply trying to eat cleaner, let this year’s guide help you make more confident choices at the grocery store.