The "Dirty Dozen"

12 Most Contaminated fruits/veggies
 (no particular order needed)
  • Peaches
  • Apples
  • Sweet Bell Peppers/Hot peppers
  • Celery
  • Nectarines
  • Strawberries
  • Cherry tomatoes
  • Grapes (Imported)
  • Spinach
  • Lettuce
  • Potatoes
  • Cucumbers


Dirty Details BELOW: (click the red colored words to see the exact contaminants!

  • Peaches
Another tree fruit that always makes the dirty dozen list: peaches. more than 60 pesticides have been found on peaches, an nearly as many in single-serving packs, but far fewer in canned peaches.

  • Apples
Apples consistently rank near the top of the annual dirty dozen list. more than 40 different pesticides have been detected on apples, because fungus and insect threats prompt farmers to spray various chemicals on their orchards. Not surprisingly, pesticide residue is also found in apple juice and apple sauce, making all apple products smart foods to buy organic. (Though until 2014, organic apples and pears may be treated with antibiotics.)

  • Sweet Bell Peppers/Hot peppers
Another fruit that usually makes the dirty dozen list because it tends to have high pesticide residue is the sweet bell pepper, in all of its colorful varieties. Nearly 50 different pesticides have been detected on sweet bell peppers.

Joining sweet peppers on the list of foods with the most pesticide residue: hot peppers. While some spices can approximate the heat, there is no substitute for a pesticide-laced hot pepper except a good, organic hot pepper.

  • Celery
Another perennial food on the dirty dozen list is celery. It's a good one to commit to memory, since it doesn't fit the three main categories of foods with the highest pesticide residue (tree fruits, berries and leafy greens). USDA tests have found more than 60 different pesticides on celery.

  • Nectarines (Imported)
Nectarines, at least imported ones, are among the most highly contaminated tree fruits. Domestic nectarines don't test with as much pesticide residue, but overall 33 pesticides have been detected on nectarines.

  • Strawberries
Strawberries are always on the list of dirty dozen foods, in part because fungus prompts farmers to spray, and pesticide residue remains on berries sold at market. Nearly 60 different pesticides have been found on strawberries, though fewer are found on frozen strawberries.

  • Cherry tomatoes
Tomatoes have been in for some bad press in the past few years, with exposes like Tomatoland highlighting the environmental, human and culinary costs of the modern tomato. Alas, cherry tomatoes show up on the Environmental Working Group's 2013 list of foods with the most pesticide residue. There really is no substitute for a good, fresh tomato. If you can't grow your own, buy from a farmers' market or CSA, then try the organic produce section of your local grocery.

  • Grapes (Imported)
Another perennial entrant on the dirty dozen list, imported grapes can have more than 30 pesticides. Raisins, not surprisingly, also have high pesticide residue tests. Makes you wonder about wine, eh?

  • Spinach
Leading the leafy green pesticide residue category is spinach, with nearly 50 different pesticides. (While frozen spinach has nearly as many, canned has had fewer detected pesticides.)

  • Lettuce
Joining spinach in the leafy greens category, lettuce often makes the list of dirty dozen foods with the most pesticides. More than 50 pesticides have been identified on lettuce.
  • Potatoes
America's favorite vegetable is the potato; unfortunately, more than 35 pesticides have been detected on potatoes in USDA testing. Sweet potatoes offer a delicious alternative with less chance of pesticide residue.

  • Cucumbers 
Making the 2013 list of foods with the highest pesticide residue: Cucumbers, which have been laced with as many as 35 different pesticides that remain on the skin when it's time for salad-making. Peeling the skin off may reduce your chances of ingesting some of them.
The "Clean Dozen"

12 Least Contaminated