What Is The Purpose Of The Dirty Dozen List?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

, , , ,

The EWG report, issued yearly since 2004, uses US Department of Agriculture test data to rank 46 foods that are the most and least contaminated with pesticide residues. The agency

prepares the food as consumers would — washing, peeling or scrubbing — before testing each item

.

What are the dirty dozen foods?

  • Strawberries.
  • Spinach.
  • Kale, collard and mustard greens.
  • Nectarines.
  • Apples.
  • Grapes.
  • Cherries.
  • Peaches.

What is the Dirty Dozen list?

The EWG report, issued yearly since 2004, uses US Department of Agriculture test data to rank 46 foods that are the most and least contaminated with pesticide residues. The agency

prepares the food as consumers would — washing, peeling or scrubbing — before testing each item

.

What is Clean 15 and Dirty Dozen?


The top 15 foods with the least pesticides are called the Clean 15

, while the 12 foods with the most pesticides are called the Dirty Dozen. These lists are fantastic to take with you on your shopping trips to know when to buy organic and when it's ok to buy conventional.

What is the Clean 15?

The Clean Fifteen is

a list of fruits and that contain the lowest concentration of pesticides in the U.S.

, even when they are grown with pesticides (aka conventionally).

Are carrots clean or dirty?

1. Apples 26. Green Onions 18. Green Beans 43. Asparagus 19. Plums (imported) 44. Sweet Peas (frozen) 20. Blueberries (imported) 45. Cabbage 21.

Carrots

46. Avocado

What is the dirtiest vegetable?

  • Strawberries.
  • Spinach.
  • Kale, collard and mustard greens.
  • Nectarines.
  • Apples.
  • Grapes.
  • Cherries.
  • Peaches.

Are potatoes Dirty Dozen?


Potatoes

Potatoes round out the Dirty Dozen list this year. Because they are tuberous stems that grow deep in the soil, potatoes absorb pesticides sprayed above the ground like a sponge. Buy organic when possible, or at least peel conventionally grown spuds.

Which fruit has most pesticides?


Strawberries

continue to lead the “Dirty Dozen” list of fruits and veggies that contain the highest levels of pesticides, followed by spinach, a trio of greens — kale, collard and mustard — nectarines, apples, and grapes, according to the Environmental Working Group's 2021 Shopper's Guide to Pesticides in Produce.

Is broccoli A Dirty Dozen?

Vegetables on this list include sweet corn, onions, frozen peas, eggplant, asparagus, broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower and mushrooms. … Avocados and sweet corn were the least contaminated, the report found, with less than 2% of samples showing detectable pesticide residue.

What is the most heavily sprayed crop?


Strawberries, Raspberries and Cherries Strawberries

are the crop that is most heavily dosed with pesticides in America. On average, 300 pounds of pesticides are applied to every acre of strawberries (compared to an average of 25 pounds per acre for other foods).

Can you wash off pesticides?

Wash Your Food and Wash it Right

According to the CSE, washing them with 2

% of salt water

will remove most of the contact pesticide residues that normally appear on the surface of the vegetables and fruits. Almost 75 to 80 percent of pesticide residues are removed by cold water washing.

How many is a Dirty Dozen?

Every year, the Environmental Working Group (EWG) releases the Dirty DozenTM — a list of the

12

non-organic fruits and vegetables highest in pesticide residues.

What are the 3 foods to never eat?

  1. Sugary drinks. Added sugar is one of the worst ingredients in the modern diet. …
  2. Most pizzas. …
  3. White bread. …
  4. Most fruit juices. …
  5. Sweetened breakfast cereals. …
  6. Fried, grilled, or broiled food. …
  7. Pastries, cookies, and cakes. …
  8. French fries and potato chips.

Are blueberries clean or dirty?

The USDA did not exclude blueberries as it usually makes the

dirty dozen

list, since more than 50 pesticides have been detected as residue on them.

What are the green 15 foods?

  • Avocados.
  • Sweet corn.
  • Pineapple.
  • Onions.
  • Papaya.
  • Sweet peas (frozen)
  • Eggplant.
  • Asparagus.
Sophia Kim
Author
Sophia Kim
Sophia Kim is a food writer with a passion for cooking and entertaining. She has worked in various restaurants and catering companies, and has written for several food publications. Sophia's expertise in cooking and entertaining will help you create memorable meals and events.