The Dirty Dozen 2020 List of Vegetables and Fruits Which Contain the Highest Levels of Pesticides – Plus the Cleanest 15
For the fourth straight year strawberries top the list as the food with the most pesticides, followed by Spinach and Kale.
The nonprofit Environmental Working Group (EWG) each spring publishes a list of fruits and vegetables containing elevated levels of pesticides called the Dirty Dozen.
The annual list of the 12 most contaminated produce is based on 40,900 samples tested by the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the Food and Drug Administration.
For the fourth straight year strawberries top the table as the food with the most pesticides, followed by Spinach and Kale.
Samples are tested for pesticides after they have been thoroughly washed and, when applicable, peeled.
EWG
On the other side of the fence the organization also publishes a second list of fruits and vegetables containing low levels of pesticides referred to as the Clean Fifteen.
Avocados top the clean food list, followed by sweet corn and pineapples.
“It is important to note that the samples are tested for pesticides after they have been prepared to be eaten. This means the produce has been thoroughly washed and, when applicable, peeled,” EWG.
The 2020 Dirty Dozen Fruits and Vegetables List
- Strawberries
- Spinach
- Kale
- Nectarines
- Apples
- Grapes
- Peaches
- Cherries
- Pears
- Tomatoes
- Celery
- Potatoes
The 2020 Clean Fifteen Food List
- Avocados
- Sweet corn
- Pineapple
- Onions
- Papaya
- Sweet Peas (Frozen)
- Eggplant
- Asparagus
- Cauliflower
- Cantaloupes
- Broccoli
- Mushrooms
- Cabbage
- Honeydew Melon
- Kiwi