A 10-Year Look at EWG’s Dirty Dozen Produce (Updated 2026)
Since 2004, the Environmental Working Group (EWG) has been publishing the Dirty Dozen, a list of the twelve fruits and vegetables most heavily contaminated with pesticide residues. And while buying organic is the simplest way to reduce exposure, the EWG understands that doing so is not an option for everyone.
As the group explains, the Shopper’s Guide is meant to help consumers better understand which conventional produce items tend to carry the heaviest pesticide burden.
Why is this important?
According to EWG’s 2026 Shopper’s Guide, nearly 75 percent of non-organic fresh produce sold in the U.S. contains residues of potentially harmful pesticides. The more informed you can be about the food you are purchasing, the more you’ll be able to minimize exposure to these chemicals while still eating plenty of fruits and vegetables. EWG also makes clear that the health benefits of eating produce still outweigh the risks of pesticide exposure.
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What is the Dirty Dozen list?
The Dirty Dozen is EWG’s annual list of the 12 conventionally grown fruits and vegetables found to have the highest pesticide contamination in its analysis of USDA testing data. In 2025, EWG refined its methodology to include pesticide toxicity alongside the number and concentration of residues, and that updated system continues in the 2026 list.
In other words, this isn’t simply a list of produce with any pesticide residue at all. It is meant to identify the conventionally grown fruits and vegetables that rank highest based on frequency of detection, number of pesticides found, total concentration, and overall toxicity.
2026’s Dirty Dozen Revealed: What’s New?
This year, the biggest story is not a dramatic overhaul of the list, but the continued use of EWG’s updated methodology and the additional context it provides around toxicity. The 2026 edition analyzed USDA residue data from 54,344 samples of 47 fruits and vegetables and detected 264 pesticides and breakdown products.
And while the names on the list remain fairly familiar, there are still a few notable takeaways from this year’s release.
A Few Key 2026 Highlights
EWG says a total of 203 pesticides were found across the Dirty Dozen crops.
Pesticides were detected on 96% of Dirty Dozen samples.
PFAS pesticides were detected on 63% of all Dirty Dozen produce samples.
Green beans and bell/hot peppers ranked just outside the official twelve but were still specifically highlighted by EWG because of their high overall pesticide toxicity.
So while 2025 brought the methodology update itself, 2026 gives us a clearer picture of how that methodology is shaping the list going forward. And the overall takeaway is pretty similar: a handful of familiar fruits and vegetables continue to show up year after year.
Still at No. 1 — Spinach Holds the Top Spot
After overtaking strawberries in 2025, spinach remains No. 1 on the 2026 Dirty Dozen list. That means strawberries no longer hold the top spot they dominated for years, and leafy greens continue to rank especially high under EWG’s refined methodology.
Greens Move Up, Strawberries Shift Down
One of the most noticeable changes in 2026 is that kale, collard, and mustard greens moved up to No. 2, while strawberries shifted to No. 3. That does not necessarily mean strawberries have become “clean,” only that under the newer scoring system, greens now rank even worse.
Green Beans and Peppers Are Still Worth Watching
Although green beans and bell/hot peppers did not officially make the 2026 Dirty Dozen, EWG went out of its way to mention them because they ranked high for toxicity. For shoppers trying to reduce pesticide exposure as much as possible, that makes them worth paying attention to even outside the official 12.
The EWG’s 2026 Dirty Dozen List
Spinach
Kale, Collard & Mustard Greens
Strawberries
Grapes
Nectarines
Peaches
Cherries
Apples
Blackberries
Pears
Potatoes
Blueberries
10 Years of Dirty Produce (2016–2026)
| Rank | 2026 | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Spinach | Spinach | Strawberries | Strawberries | Strawberries | Strawberries | Strawberries | Strawberries | Strawberries | Strawberries | Strawberries |
| #2 | Kale/Greens | Strawberries | Spinach | Spinach | Spinach | Spinach | Spinach | Spinach | Spinach | Apples | Apples |
| #3 | Strawberries | Kale/Greens | Kale, collard & mustard greens | Kale, collard & mustard greens | Kale, collard & mustard greens | Kale, collard & mustard greens | Kale | Kale | Nectarines | Nectarines | Nectarines |
| #4 | Grapes | Grapes | Grapes | Peaches | Nectarines | Nectarines | Nectarines | Nectarines | Apples | Apples | Peaches |
| #5 | Nectarines | Peaches | Peaches | Pears | Apples | Apples | Apples | Apples | Grapes | Peaches | Celery |
| #6 | Peaches | Cherries | Pears | Nectarines | Grapes | Grapes | Grapes | Grapes | Peaches | Celery | Grapes |
| #7 | Cherries | Nectarines | Nectarines | Apples | Bell & hot peppers | Cherries | Peaches | Peaches | Cherries | Grapes | Cherries |
| #8 | Apples | Pears | Apples | Grapes | Cherries | Peaches | Cherries | Cherries | Pears | Pears | Spinach |
| #9 | Blackberries | Apples | Bell & Hot Peppers | Pears | Peaches | Pears | Pears | Pears | Tomatoes | Cherries | Tomatoes |
| #10 | Pears | Blackberries | Cherries | Bell & hot peppers | Apples | Bell & hot peppers | Tomatoes | Tomatoes | Celery | Tomatoes | Sweet Bell Peppers |
| #11 | Potatoes | Blueberries | Blueberries | Blueberries | Cherries | Celery | Celery | Celery | Potatoes | Bell Peppers | Cherry Tomatoes |
| #12 | Blueberries | Potatoes | Green beans | Tomatoes | Pears | Tomatoes | Potatoes | Potatoes | Bell Peppers | Potatoes | Cucumbers |
Repeat Offenders — Produce That Hasn’t Left the Dirty Dozen List
The EWG’s Dirty Dozen changes every year, but a handful of fruits and vegetables have earned the title of repeat offenders.
Spinach, Strawberries, and Greens
The worst of the worst continue to be leafy greens and berries. Spinach remains No. 1 in 2026, while kale, collard, and mustard greens moved to No. 2 and strawberries sit at No. 3. These crops consistently rank at the top because they tend to carry heavy pesticide burdens and are especially difficult to fully clean.
Grapes
Grapes remain a regular on the Dirty Dozen, again ranking No. 4 in 2026. They continue to show up high on the list because of repeated pesticide applications and the tendency for residues to remain even after a standard rinse.
Peaches and Nectarines
Soft-skinned fruits like peaches and nectarines remain especially vulnerable. In 2026, nectarines rank No. 5 and peaches No. 6, continuing their long run as frequent Dirty Dozen crops.
Apples
Apples continue to appear regularly on the list and rank No. 8 in 2026. They are one of the clearest examples of a fruit that may look perfectly clean on the outside while still carrying measurable pesticide residue.
Gone From the List … But Safe to Eat?
By definition, only twelve fruits and vegetables can make the Dirty Dozen each year, which means that for every new addition, another must fall off. But does that automatically mean those foods are “safe” or pesticide-free?
Yes and no.
Reduced pesticide use, improved farming practices, and updated scoring can all shift the rankings from year to year. But falling off the Dirty Dozen does not mean a food is completely free of pesticide residue. It simply means it ranked lower relative to the produce items above it. EWG’s full Shopper’s Guide looks at 47 fruits and vegetables total, not just the top 12.
At the same time, it is worth keeping perspective. EWG itself says everyone should eat plenty of fruits and vegetables, whether organic or conventional. The goal of the Dirty Dozen is not to scare people away from produce, but to help them make more informed choices when and where they can.
Evolving Landscape: Changes to Farming, Testing, and Regulation
The past decade has witnessed significant evolution in farming practices, pesticide testing, and consumer awareness.
Updated methodology:EWG’s 2025 refinement added toxicity to the ranking system, alongside abundance, diversity, and intensity of pesticide residues.
Regulatory Actions: The United States and European Union have progressively tightened pesticide restrictions, banning or limiting numerous hazardous chemicals previously commonly used. These regulatory shifts have had tangible impacts on residue levels.
Adoption of Integrated Pest Management (IPM): Many farms now adopt IPM, combining biological, cultural, and mechanical methods to control pests, drastically reducing chemical pesticide reliance.
Advancements in Technology: Precision agriculture techniques, such as drone monitoring and targeted pesticide application, reduce the overall quantity of pesticides needed and limit environmental exposure.
Emergence of New Pesticides: Newer pesticide formulations, claimed to be less harmful, are now being adopted. However, understanding their long-term effects and cumulative health impacts remains an ongoing research focus.
How to clean Dirty Dozen foods
Washing produce matters, even if it is not a perfect solution.
According to the EPA, you should wash and scrub all fresh fruits and vegetables thoroughly under running water. Running water has an abrasive effect that soaking does not, which helps remove dirt, bacteria, and traces of chemicals from the surface. But the EPA also notes that not all pesticide residues can be removed by washing.
A few practical ways to clean Dirty Dozen produce more effectively:
Rinse fruits and vegetables thoroughly under running water.
Scrub firmer produce like apples and potatoes with a vegetable brush.
Remove outer leaves from leafy vegetables when appropriate.
Dry produce after washing.
When possible and realistic for your budget, prioritize organic versions of the highest-ranking Dirty Dozen foods.
Washing is still worth doing. It simply should not be viewed as a complete fix for every pesticide residue concern.
Advice for Consumers: Safe, Smart Shopping
Consumers can actively reduce their exposure to pesticides through informed and practical choices:
Prioritize organic purchases: Focus on organic alternatives for produce consistently ranking highly on the Dirty Dozen list, particularly spinach, leafy greens, and strawberries.
Use effective cleaning practices: Rinse fruits and vegetables thoroughly under running water. For produce with tougher skins, like apples and potatoes, using a vegetable brush can help reduce surface residue.
Diversify Produce Intake: Regularly rotating the types of fruits and vegetables consumed can help minimize repeated exposure to specific pesticide residues.
Stay updated: Review the annual EWG Dirty Dozen report to stay informed about current trends and adjust shopping habits accordingly.
Keep perspective: The goal is not perfection. Eating more fruits and vegetables still matters, even when organic options are not always realistic.
Use the list strategically: If your grocery budget is limited, the Dirty Dozen can help you decide where organic may matter most. The Clean Fifteen can help guide lower-priority swaps. EWG says almost 60% of Clean Fifteen samples had no detectable pesticide residues.
Consider Local and Seasonal Options: Produce from smaller local farms often involves lower pesticide use, especially if grown using IPM methods or organic practices.
By embracing these strategies, consumers can balance the benefits of fruit and vegetable consumption with a more informed approach to pesticide exposure.