Use this guide when considering where to spend more (for higher quality, organic or regeneratively grown produce.) Personally I usually buy conventionally grown cabbage, but most other items, I will buy organic. Or better yet, grow it myself!
Lower number = More pesticides
2019
1. Strawberries
2. Spinach
3. Kale
4. Nectarines
5. Apples
6. Grapes
7. Peaches
8. Cherries
9. Pears
10. Tomatoes
11. Celery
12. Potatoes
13. Sweet Bell Peppers
14. Cherry Tomatoes
15. Lettuce
16. Cucumbers
17. Blueberries
18. Hot Peppers
19. Plums
20. Green Beans
21. Tangerines
22. Raspberries
23. Grapefruit
24. Winter Squashes
25. Snap Peas
26. Carrots
27. Oranges
28. Summer Squashes*
29. Mangoes
30. Bananas
31. Sweet Potatoes
32. Watermelons
33. Honeydew Melons
34. Mushrooms
35. Broccoli
36. Cantaloupes
37. Cauliflower
38. Cabbages
39. Kiwis
40. Asparagus
41. Eggplants
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.
Source: EWG’s 2019 Shopper’s Guide to Pesticides in Produce™
2014
- Apples
- Strawberries
- Grapes
- Celery
- Peaches
- Spinach
- Sweet Bell Peppers
- Nectarines – Imported
- Cucumbers
- Cherry Tomatoes
- Snap Peas – Imported
- Potatoes
- Hot Peppers
- Blueberries – Domestic
- Lettuce
- Kale/Collard Greens
- Plums
- Cherries
- Nectarines – Domestic
- Pears
- Tangerines
- Carrots
- Blueberries – Imported
- Green Beans
- Winter Squash
- Summer Squash
- Raspberries
- Broccoli
- Snap Peas – Domestic
- Green Onions
- Oranges
- Bananas
- Tomatoes
- Watermelon
- Honeydew Melon
- Mushrooms
- Sweet Potatoes
- Cauliflower
- Cantaloupe
- Grapefruit
- Eggplant
- Kiwi
- Papaya
- Mango
- Asparagus
- Onions
- Sweet Peas – Frozen
- Cabbage
- Pineapples
- Sweet Corn
- Avocados
EWG analyzed pesticide residue testing data from the U.S. Department of Agriculture and Food and Drug Administration to come up with rankings for these popular fresh produce items. All 48 foods are listed below from worst to best.
Source: http://www.ewg.org/foodnews/list.php