The American non-profit organization EWG (Environmental Working Group) focuses on improving the environment and our health. The EWG annually investigates which fruits and vegetables contain the most and least pesticides. They recently published their report and results. These are the Dirty Dozen and Clean Fifteen of 2023.
Fruit and vegetables are indispensable in a healthy diet, but unfortunately many crops contain harmful pesticides. Farmers use pesticides to protect their crops against insects and fungi, with the result that the health value of fruit and vegetables decreases. Exposure to pesticides is a concern, especially for pregnant women and children. Because contamination with pesticides differs per crop, it is useful to know which products are sprayed and contaminated the most or the least. The EWG recommends eating the products from the Dirty Dozen only when they are organically grown.
This year's EWG's list was compiled from an analysis of a total of 46,569 samples of 46 fruits and vegetables taken by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and USDA (United States Department of Agriculture). A total of 210 different pesticides were found on Dirty Dozen items. According to the Pesticide Action Network, the use of pesticides in Europe has increased enormously.
Dirty Dozen (most pesticides)
Strawberries
Spinach
Kale
Peaches
Pears
Nectarines
Apples
Grapes
Bell peppers and hot peppers
Cherries
Blueberries
Green beans
Clean Fifteen (least pesticides)
Avocado
Corn
Pineapple
Onions
Papaya
Peas (frozen)
Eggplant
Asparagus
Broccoli
Cabbage
Kiwi
Cauliflower
Mushrooms
Honeydew melon
Cantaloupe melon
The EWG emphasizes that eating fruits and vegetables, organic or not, is essential for good health.
For the full list, visit the EWG website.