Use this list from the Environmental Working Group as a guide when considering where to spend more for higher quality (local, organic and/or regeneratively grown) produce. Personally, I’m okay buying conventionally grown cabbage for my daily sauerkraut (it’s on the “clean fifteen” side of the list), but most other items, I will buy organic. Or better yet, I’ll grow it myself!

Lower number = “Dirtier” (more pesticides)

Ranking (updated for 2023)

1. Strawberries
2. Spinach
3. Kale, Collard, Mustard greens
4. Peaches
5. Pears
6. Nectarines
7. Apples
8. Grapes
9. Bell & Hot Peppers
10. Cherries
11. Blueberries
12. Green Beans
13. Tomatoes
14. Winter Squash
15. Celery
16. Potatoes
17. Cherry Tomatoes
18. Lettuce
19. Tangerines
20. Cucumbers
21. Broccoli
22. Summer Squashes*
23. Plums
24. Eggplant
25. Raspberries
26. Grapefruit
27. Snap Peas
28. Oranges
29. Cantaloupe
30. Bananas
31. Cauliflower
32. Carrots
33. Watermelons
34. Sweet Potatoes
35. Mangoes
36. Mushrooms
37. Cabbage
38. Kiwi
39. Honeydew melons
40. Asparagus
41. Sweet peas (frozen)
42. Papayas*
43. Onions
44. Sweet Peas Frozen
45. Pineapples
46. Sweet Corn*
47. Avocados

* A small amount of sweet corn, papaya and summer squash sold in the United States is produced from genetically modified seeds. Buy organic varieties of these crops if you want to avoid genetically modified produce.

Read more about the methodology and testing practices at EWG’s Shopper’s Guide to Pesticides in Produce™