Peer-reviewed science shows that pesticides are harmful to health, including disruption of the hormone system and developmental harms. This year’s guide not only looks at the number, presence and amount of pesticides on produce but also considers their toxicity, or their ability to cause harm, as observed in animal studies.

Understanding the Shopper’s Guide rankings

The Environmental Working Group (EWG) assessed data from pesticide residue tests conducted by the USDA on 53,692 samples of 47 fruits and vegetables. Before they’re tested, the produce samples are peeled or scrubbed and washed. Even after this preparation, the tests found traces of 265 pesticides and their breakdown products on all fruit and vegetables tested, of which 203 were on Dirty Dozen produce. 

EWG ranks the fruit and vegetables on the Clean Fifteen and Dirty Dozen based on four factors. As a major update to the methodology this year, EWG added a factor for pesticide toxicity to the rankings, along with the number, presence and amount of pesticides on produce. For more details about how EWG develops the Shopper’s Guide, see the methodology.

Shoppers who want to reduce their exposure to pesticides can consider purchasing organic versions of produce on the Dirty Dozen, when possible. It doesn’t have to be in the fresh produce part of a store. Frozen options are often available and more affordable.

For all kinds of produce, washing at home before eating reduces pesticide residues, dirt and potentially harmful bacteria. Washing does not remove pesticides entirely, but data show that unwashed produce contains higher pesticide levels than washed produce. 

EWG’S 2025 CLEAN FIFTEEN

These 15 types of produce had the lowest amounts of pesticide residues of all 47 types sampled, according to EWG’s analysis of the most recent USDA data.

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

Clean Fifteen highlights:

• Almost 60 percent of Clean Fifteen fruit and vegetable samples had no detectable pesticide residues.
• Just 16 percent of Clean Fifteen 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 Fifteen items had residues of more than three pesticides.
• Bananas, new to the Clean Fifteen, were among the fruits and vegetables with lowest overall pesticide toxicity.

EWG’S 2025 DIRTY DOZEN

Of the 47 items included in our analysis, these 12 fruits and vegetables were most contaminated with pesticides. “Plus” (+) items were also included because of their place two crops below the dozen on the list, and they also ranked highly just based on overall pesticide toxicity.

1. Spinach
2. Strawberries
3. Kale, collard and mustard greens
4. Grapes
5. Peaches
6. Cherries
7. Nectarines
8. Pears
9. Apples
10. Blackberries
11. Blueberries
12. Potatoes
13. +Bell and hot peppers 
14. +Green beans

Dirty Dozen highlights:

• 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, collard and mustard greens.

Health risks from pesticides

Consumers have a right to know the types and amounts of pesticides on produce, given their potential health harms, as reported in peer-reviewed scientific studies. 

Studies have found that consuming fruit and vegetables with high levels of pesticide residues may reduce protection against cardiovascular disease and mortality typically associated with eating produce. 

Similar research has investigated how pesticide exposure through fruit and vegetable consumption affects fertility. One study observed some evidence of a link between consumption of produce low in pesticide residue and improved sperm quality. Another reported a link between produce high in pesticide residues and reduced ovarian function.

A large population study in France from 2014-2020 found associations between certain mixtures of pesticides and increased risk of breast cancer and Type 2 diabetes. 

In both studies, a diet low in synthetic pesticide exposure was linked to reduced risks of the identified health problems.

These findings raise important questions about risks from exposure to pesticide mixtures on produce, as someone could be exposed to several substances, depending on what they eat. 

EWG is especially concerned about how pesticides can harm children’s health as a result of exposure during pregnancy and early life. In 2020, an EWG investigation published in the peer-reviewed journal Environmental Health found that the EPA has failed to adequately protect children from pesticides’ harmful effects. 

The agency has neglected to apply a children’s health safety factor to the allowable exposure limits for almost 90 percent of the most common pesticides. The Food Quality Protection Act mandates that EPA use the factor, which could potentially result in some stricter limits.

The threats pesticides pose to children’s health have been known at least since 1993, when the National Academies of Science, Engineering, and Medicine published a landmark study warning of inadequate oversight of pesticides in the food infants and children eat.

Despite these concerns, the guide should not deter people from buying produce. A diet that is high in fruit and vegetables, whether conventional or organic, is important for health. 

Article adapted from ewg.org