Key takeaways
- The 2026 Dirty Dozen, in order: spinach; kale, collard and mustard greens; strawberries; grapes; nectarines; peaches; cherries; apples; blackberries; pears; potatoes; blueberries.
- The Clean Fifteen starts with pineapple, sweet corn and avocados. Nearly 60% of Clean Fifteen samples had no detectable pesticide residues.
- The lists come from USDA tests on produce that was washed or peeled first. USDA also reports that over 99% of samples it tests fall below EPA limits. Both things can be true.
- Eating produce matters more than buying organic. If you want fewer pesticide residues, the list shows where organic makes the biggest difference.
The 2026 Dirty Dozen and Clean Fifteen
Each year the Environmental Working Group (EWG), a nonprofit advocacy group, ranks 47 fruits and vegetables by pesticide residues. The 2026 Shopper’s Guide came out in March.[1][2]
| Rank | Dirty Dozen (highest EWG scores) | Clean Fifteen (lowest EWG scores) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Spinach | Pineapple |
| 2 | Kale, collard and mustard greens | Sweet corn |
| 3 | Strawberries | Avocados |
| 4 | Grapes | Papayas |
| 5 | Nectarines | Onions |
| 6 | Peaches | Sweet peas (frozen) |
| 7 | Cherries | Asparagus |
| 8 | Apples | Cabbage |
| 9 | Blackberries | Cauliflower |
| 10 | Pears | Watermelon |
| 11 | Potatoes | Mangoes |
| 12 | Blueberries | Bananas |
| 13 | Carrots | |
| 14 | Mushrooms | |
| 15 | Kiwi |
How the list is made
EWG doesn’t test produce itself. It uses the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Pesticide Data Program, which tests thousands of samples every year.[4] This year EWG looked at 54,344 samples.[3]
54,344
samples of 47 fruits and vegetables[3]
264
pesticides and breakdown products found overall, with 203 pesticides on Dirty Dozen produce[3]
60%+
of Dirty Dozen samples had a pesticide EWG classifies as PFAS, a broad group of long-lasting fluorinated chemicals. Finding one doesn’t by itself mean a health risk.[3]
One detail surprises people: the USDA washes, scrubs or peels produce before testing, the way you would at home.[3] So the residues on the list are what’s left after washing.
EWG scores each crop on several measures: how often residues were found, how many different pesticides showed up, how much was found and, since 2025, how toxic those pesticides are.[1] Spinach samples averaged four or more different pesticides.[3]
What critics say
Farm groups dispute the list. The Alliance for Food and Farming, which represents conventional and organic produce growers, points to the USDA’s own summary.[5] In the USDA’s 2024 testing, over 99% of samples were below the EPA’s limits, and 42.3% had no detectable residues at all. That data covers more than produce, so it isn’t the same set EWG ranks.[7]
Both points can be true at once. The EPA’s legal limits include safety margins, so a residue below them is not a known danger. EWG’s point is that many people eat these foods every day, often with several pesticides at once, and that less is better when it’s easy to get.
How to use the list
- Buy organic for the Dirty Dozen foods you eat most. If you eat strawberries every week but cherries twice a year, start with strawberries.
- Buy conventional from the Clean Fifteen and save the difference.
- Check the freezer aisle. Organic berries and spinach are often easier to find frozen.[3] Compare unit prices, since frozen can cost less and cut waste.
- Wash fresh produce anyway. Rinse it under running water and scrub firm produce like potatoes. Skip soap and bleach. Produce labeled “prewashed” or “ready to eat” doesn’t need washing again.[6]
- Never skip produce over pesticides. The benefits of eating fruits and vegetables outweigh the risk from residues, which EWG says too.[1]
Questions people ask
- What is on the 2026 Dirty Dozen list?
- In order: spinach; kale, collard and mustard greens; strawberries; grapes; nectarines; peaches; cherries; apples; blackberries; pears; potatoes; and blueberries.
- What is on the 2026 Clean Fifteen list?
- In order: pineapple, sweet corn, avocados, papayas, onions, frozen sweet peas, asparagus, cabbage, cauliflower, watermelon, mangoes, bananas, carrots, mushrooms and kiwi.
- Is the Dirty Dozen list accurate?
- It is based on real USDA test data, scored with EWG’s own method. Critics point out that over 99 percent of USDA samples are below EPA limits. The list can guide shoppers who want fewer pesticide residues, but it isn’t proof that a food is unsafe or that buying organic will improve your health.
- Does washing produce remove pesticides?
- Washing helps, but it does not remove everything. The USDA washes or peels produce before testing, and the residues in EWG’s rankings are what remained after washing.
- Is organic produce pesticide-free?
- No. Organic farmers can use certain approved pesticides, mostly from natural sources. Organic produce usually has much lower synthetic pesticide residues, though.
Sources
- [1]Environmental Working Group. Dirty Dozen: EWG’s 2026 Shopper’s Guide to Pesticides in Produce. March 2026.
- [2]Environmental Working Group. Clean Fifteen: EWG’s 2026 Shopper’s Guide to Pesticides in Produce. March 2026.
- [3]CNN, via ABC 17 News. 2026 Dirty Dozen produce: Nearly 100% tested positive for pesticides, including forever chemicals. March 2026.
- [4]U.S. Department of Agriculture. Pesticide Data Program. accessed October 2026.
- [5]Food Safety News. EWG reveals its Dirty Dozen; AFF challenges validity of list. April 2026.
- [6]U.S. Food and Drug Administration. 7 tips for cleaning fruits, vegetables. accessed October 2026.
- [7]U.S. Department of Agriculture. Pesticide Data Program annual summary, calendar year 2024. accessed October 2026.
This article is for general information. It is not medical advice and does not replace a doctor, dietitian or pediatrician. Purus gives estimates for general information; it is not a medical device and does not diagnose, treat or prevent any condition.
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