Use This to Save on Grocery Shopping.

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1

Saw Dr. Berg Talking About Low-Pesticide Foods Today… Made Me Think of the Clean 15 + Dirty Dozen!

For those who haven’t seen it before, the Dirty Dozen lists the most pesticide-heavy produce (so go organic when you can), and the Clean Fifteen are the ones generally safe to buy conventional. Developed by The Environmental Working Group.

Handy if you’re prioritizing or shopping on a budget.

Here is the full list:

:strawberry:DIRTY DOZEN

These fruits and vegetables typically have the highest pesticide levels:

Strawberries

Spinach

Kale, Collard & Mustard Greens

Grapes

Peaches

Pears

Nectarines

Apples

Bell & Hot Peppers

Cherries

Blueberries

Green Beans

THE CLEAN 15

:leafy_green: The Clean Fifteen (Safest to Buy Non-Organic)

These have the lowest pesticide residues and are safer to buy conventional:

Avocados

Sweet Corn

Pineapple

Onions

Papaya

Frozen Sweet Peas

Asparagus

Honeydew Melon

Kiwi

Cabbage

Watermelon

Mushrooms

Mangoes

Sweet Potatoes

Carrots

Do you use these lists when shopping? Have your habits changed after learning about pesticide exposure?

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The source of this information was originally developed years ago by the Environmental Working Group and should be credited accordingly.

3

You are correct @vegandan - I will add that credit now.

4

Yes, I use their lists regularly. It’s also important for people to understand that they update their lists annually, as farming practices change.

For example, a few years ago broccoli was on the Clean list.

People can get the most current information by visiting their website: EWG's 2025 Shopper's Guide to Pesticides in Produce | Summary

I would like to know whether the list changing is more a result of cleaner farming practices, e.g. is broccoli still relatively clean, but some other product has become even cleaner? That would be really, really helpful to know. I typically still buy conventionally grown broccoli, and don’t know if that now is a bad idea.

Thank you!

5

Thank you @adesimba , I have bookmarked that page and appreciate you reminding us to keep our eyes open for updates.