2026 Dirty Dozen & Clean 15: Ultimate Guide to Safer Produce Choices

If you’ve ever wondered which fruits and vegetables are most contaminated with pesticides, the Environmental Working Group (EWG) has answers. Its annual Shopper’s Guide highlights the Dirty Dozen and Clean 15, helping consumers reduce exposure to potentially harmful chemicals while still eating plenty of produce. The Dirty Dozen 2026 and Clean 15 2026 lists are based on tens of thousands of produce samples tested by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).

Even after washing and peeling, many items still contain pesticide residues. In fact, according to EWG, nearly 75 percent of non-organic fresh produce sold in the U.S. contains pesticide residues, underscoring how widespread exposure has become, even for consumers who wash their fruits and vegetables.

The goal isn’t to scare you away from fruits and vegetables. It’s to help you make smarter, healthier choices.

If you’re looking for the most up-to-date guidance, here’s everything you need to know about the 2026 Dirty Dozen, Clean 15 2026 and what changed from the 2025 Dirty Dozen and Clean 15 lists.

Key findings

The 2026 Dirty Dozen and Clean 15 report reveals several important insights. Here are some of the key findings:

• More than 54,000 produce samples were analyzed across 47 fruits and vegetables.
• 96 percent of Dirty Dozen samples contained pesticide residues.
• Some samples contained four or more pesticides on average.
• Nearly 60 percent of Clean 15 produce had no detectable pesticides.
• Researchers detected 264 different pesticides overall.
• PFAS “forever chemical” pesticides were found in a significant portion of samples.
• About 75 percent of conventional produce contained pesticide residues, even after standard washing practices.

Pesticide exposure is widespread but also avoidable with smarter shopping.

Dirty Dozen 2026

The Dirty Dozen 2026 includes the fruits and vegetables with the highest pesticide contamination. Here are the 12 most pesticide-laden:

1. Spinach
2. Kale, collards and mustard greens
3. Strawberries
4. Grapes
5. Nectarines
6. Peaches
7. Cherries
8. Apples
9. Blackberries
10. Pears
11. Potatoes
12. Blueberries

On Dirty Dozen samples, 203 total pesticides were found, and pesticides were found on 96 percent of Dirty Dozen vegetables and fruits. PFAS were detected on 63 percent of Dirty Dozen foods.

Potatoes had an average of two pesticides detected, while the other 11 produce items all had four or more pesticides on average.

These foods tend to have thin skins or absorb pesticides easily, making them harder to clean. When possible, buy organic versions of these items.

Dirty Dozen 2026 vs. Dirty Dozen 2025

• No major items were removed or added in 2026 compared to 2025.
• The list remains largely the same, but rankings shifted slightly.
• Recent additions from 2025 remain notable in 2026, including blackberries and potatoes.
• Green beans and both bell and hot peppers landed just outside the 2026 Dirty Dozen, and they all were among the top of the 2026 Dirty Dozen list on the basis of the level and toxicity of detected pesticides (along with spinach, kale, collards and mustard greens).

The 2026 Dirty Dozen reflects stability in pesticide exposure patterns, but newer high-risk foods (like blackberries and potatoes) remain concerns.

Clean 15 2026

The Clean 15 2026 highlights produce with the lowest pesticide levels. Here are the least pesticide-laden options in 2026:

1. Pineapple
2. Sweet corn (fresh and frozen)
3. Avocados
4. Papaya
5. Onions
6. Sweet peas (frozen)
7. Asparagus
8. Cabbage
9. Cauliflower
10. Watermelon
11. Mangoes
12. Bananas
13. Carrots
14. Mushrooms
15. Kiwi

Nearly 60 percent of produce on the Clean 15 had no detectable pesticides, and only 16 percent of Clean 15 fruits and veggies had residues of multiple pesticides.

Many of these foods have thick skins or natural resistance to pests, reducing pesticide exposure. These are generally safe to buy conventional if you’re on a budget, but it’s always a good idea to buy organic when you can.

Clean 15 2026 vs. Clean 15 2025

• The Clean 15 2026 list also remained unchanged from 2025.
• No major additions or removals were reported.
• Rankings may shift slightly, but the same foods consistently show low pesticide residues.

These foods continue to be consistently low-risk year after year, reinforcing confidence in buying them conventional.

EWG also released a full ranking of the 47 fruits and veggies it tested. The rankings are in order of cleanest to dirtiest, aka the ones with the fewest pesticides to the ones with the most.

Nos. 1 through 15 make up the Clean 15, while Nos. 36 through 47 are the Dirty Dozen. That means the foods ranked 16 through 35 were in the middle.

Here is the full list of tested produce in 2026:

1. Pineapple
2. Sweet corn (fresh and frozen)
3. Avocados
4. Papaya
5. Onions
6. Sweet peas (frozen)
7. Asparagus
8. Cabbage
9. Cauliflower
10. Watermelon
11. Mangoes
12. Bananas
13. Carrots
14. Mushrooms
15. Kiwi
16. Broccoli
17. Cantaloupe
18. Sweet potatoes
19. Eggplant
20. Snap peas
21. Grapefruit
22. Raspberries
23. Summer squash
24. Oranges
25. Tomatillos
26. Plums
27. Tomatoes
28. Winter squash
29. Cherry tomatoes
30. Celery
31. Cucumbers
32. Tangerines
33. Lettuce
34. Bell and hot peppers
35. Green beans
36. Blueberries
37. Potatoes
38. Pears
39. Blackberries
40. Apples
41. Cherries
42. Peaches
43. Nectarines
44. Grapes
45. Strawberries
46. Kale, collards and mustard greens
47. Spinach

What pesticides are used on produce?

The 2026 report identified hundreds of pesticides, including:

• Fludioxonil (PFAS pesticide), found in roughly 14 percent of samples
• Fluopyram and bifenthrin, among the most common
• Chlorpropham, found in potatoes, banned in the EU
• Cypermethrin, linked to cancer concerns

PFAS pesticides are especially concerning because they are known as “forever chemicals.” They persist in the environment and the human body.

EWG also emphasized that consumers are often exposed to multiple pesticide residues on a single item, with many samples containing four or more different chemicals, raising concerns about cumulative exposure.

What are the health risks of pesticides?

Research suggests pesticide exposure may be linked to:

• Hormone disruption
• Fertility issues
• Developmental problems in children
• Increased cancer risk
• Neurological effects

Children are particularly vulnerable because their bodies are still developing.

Another concern: We’re rarely exposed to just one pesticide. Instead, we consume “chemical cocktails,” which may have compounded effects.

How to avoid pesticides

Here are practical tips to avoid pesticides in your produce:

1. Choose organic when possible

Opting for organic produce is one of the most reliable ways to lower pesticide exposure. Organic farming standards restrict the use of most synthetic pesticides and herbicides, especially those that tend to leave higher residue levels.

If cost is a concern, focus on purchasing organic options from the “Dirty Dozen,” where pesticide levels are typically highest.

2. Wash all produce thoroughly

Regardless of whether your produce is organic or conventional, rinsing fruits and vegetables under running water is an important first step. This helps remove excessive dirt, bacteria and some surface pesticide residues.

For items with firmer skins, like apples or cucumbers, using a clean produce brush can improve effectiveness. While washing won’t remove pesticides that have been absorbed into the food, it still reduces overall exposure.

3. Use a natural soaking solution

For an extra layer of cleaning, soak produce in a natural solution. A common method is mixing about one teaspoon of baking soda with two cups of water and soaking for 12 to 15 minutes.

Another option is a vinegar solution (one part vinegar to three parts water). After soaking, rinse well to eliminate any remaining taste.

4. Consider peeling certain foods

Removing the skin from fruits and vegetables like apples, cucumbers and potatoes can significantly reduce pesticide residues.

However, keep in mind that peels often contain valuable fiber, antioxidants and nutrients. Peeling is best used selectively, such as when organic options aren’t available or washing isn’t enough.

5. Shop smarter with the Clean 15

When organic produce isn’t accessible or affordable, choose items from the Environmental Working Group’s “Clean 15” list. These fruits and vegetables consistently test with the lowest pesticide levels.

Examples include avocados, pineapples, onions and sweet corn, making them safer conventional choices.

6. Buy local and eat seasonally

Locally grown, in-season produce is often fresher and may require fewer chemical treatments. Shopping at farmers markets can also reduce exposure to post-harvest pesticides used during storage and transport.

This approach supports small farms and aligns with more sustainable eating habits.

7. Support sustainable farming practices

Seek out farmers who use environmentally friendly methods, such as integrated pest management and regenerative agriculture. These approaches limit pesticide use by incorporating strategies like crop rotation and beneficial insects.

You can often learn about these practices by talking with farmers at local markets or checking regional farm directories.

8. Grow your own food

Cultivating your own fruits, vegetables and herbs is one of the most effective ways to avoid pesticides entirely. Whether you have a garden or just a few containers on a balcony, home growing gives you full control over how your food is produced.

It can also be budget-friendly and personally rewarding.

9. Stay updated on pesticide data

Pesticide residue levels can change over time, so it’s useful to review updated resources like the EWG’s annual “Shopper’s Guide to Pesticides in Produce.”

This guide uses current USDA data to help you make more informed decisions at the grocery store.

10. Eat a diverse range of produce

Incorporating a wide variety of fruits and vegetables into your diet not only supports overall health, but also reduces repeated exposure to the same pesticides.

A diverse diet spreads potential risk across different foods while increasing your intake of a broader range of nutrients and beneficial plant compounds.

Frequently asked questions

What is the Dirty Dozen 2026?

The Dirty Dozen 2026 is a list of 12 fruits and vegetables with the highest pesticide contamination based on USDA testing. Here is the 2026 Dirty Dozen:

1. Spinach
2. Kale, collards and mustard greens
3. Strawberries
4. Grapes
5. Nectarines
6. Peaches
7. Cherries
8. Apples
9. Blackberries
10. Pears
11. Blueberries
12. Potatoes

What is the Clean 15 2026?

The Clean 15 2026 highlights 15 produce items with the lowest pesticide residues, making them safer to buy non-organic. Here is the 2026 Clean 15 list:

1. Pineapple
2. Sweet corn (fresh and frozen)
3. Avocados
4. Papaya
5. Onions
6. Sweet peas (frozen)
7. Asparagus
8. Cabbage
9. Cauliflower
10. Watermelon
11. Mangoes
12. Bananas
13. Carrots
14. Mushrooms
15. Kiwi

Did anything change in the 2026 Dirty Dozen?

No major changes occurred from 2025 to 2026. However, newer additions like blackberries and potatoes (added in 2025) remain on the list.

Did the Clean 15 change in 2026?

No. The Clean 15 2026 remained the same as 2025, with only minor ranking shifts.

Are Dirty Dozen foods unsafe?

Not necessarily. They meet regulatory safety standards, but they contain higher pesticide residues compared to other produce.

Is organic food pesticide-free?

No. Organic farming still uses some pesticides but typically fewer and less toxic ones.

What’s the best way to reduce pesticide exposure?

• Buy organic for Dirty Dozen foods.
• Choose from the Clean 15.
• Wash and peel produce when possible.

Conclusion

• The Dirty Dozen 2026 and Clean 15 2026 lists are powerful tools for making smarter food choices.
• The Dirty Dozen highlights produce worth buying organic.
• The Clean 15 helps you save money while minimizing pesticide exposure.
• Even after washing, many foods still contain residues.
• Simple swaps can significantly reduce your chemical intake.
• Most importantly, don’t stop eating fruits and vegetables. The benefits far outweigh the risks, but choosing wisely can make your diet even healthier.