What’s on Your Plate? A Quick Guide to the Dirty Dozen
- 2 hours ago
- 1 min read
Each year, the Environmental Working Group (EWG) puts out its Shopper’s Guide to Pesticides in Produce, highlighting what’s known as the “Dirty Dozen”, a list of fruits and veggies that tend to carry the highest levels of pesticide residues.
And it’s not just obscure items—it’s some of our everyday staples. Strawberries, spinach, kale, grapes, apples… foods many of us toss into our carts without a second thought.
To be clear, this isn’t about scaring anyone away from fruits and vegetables (please keep eating them!). It’s about having a little more information so you can make choices that feel right for you. If going fully organic isn’t realistic, this list can be a helpful place to start.
The guide also includes the “Clean Fifteen,” a list of produce with the lowest pesticide residues (like avocados, sweet corn, and pineapples) so you can shop smarter and stretch your grocery budget.
At the end of the day, even small shifts, like choosing organic strawberries when you can, can reduce your exposure to pesticides and support farming practices that are better for people, wildlife, and pollinators.
Curious what made the list this year?
👉 Read the full guide here: https://www.ewg.org/foodnews/dirty-dozen.php
