EWG Releases 2024 Dirty Dozen List

Posted: March 21, 2024 in Wellness & Health

The Environmental Working Group (EWG) released its annual report ranking pesticide residue levels of fruits and vegetables based on samples taken by the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the Food and Drug Administration. This report is designed to help consumers make healthy and informed choices and reduce their exposure to toxic pesticides.

The “Dirty Dozen” is a list of the most pesticide-tainted produce. The EWG reports that 75% of all conventional fresh produce sampled this year had residue of potentially harmful pesticides, with Dirty Dozen items containing 95% of samples containing pesticides.

“We find that what ends up on one list versus the other reflects how those fruits and vegetables are grown. Avocados, for example, aren’t pesticide-intensive, while strawberries grow very close to the ground and have a lot of pests.”

Alexis Temkin, EWG’s senior toxicologist

In addition to the Dirty Dozen, the EWG publishes the “Clean Fifteen,” highlighting the “cleanest” produce. Avocados and sweet corn continue to top the list.

Consumer Takeaways

All properly handled fresh produce, whether organic or not, is believed to be safe to eat. Do your best to get your daily dose of healthy fruits and vegetables while being an informed shopper.

To attempt to remove pesticide residue from non-organic fruits and vegetables, experts recommend rinsing, rubbing or scrubbing them. If you’re still uneasy about pesticides, frozen or canned versions of your favorite produce can be a great alternative. After all, frozen fruits and vegetables are just as nutritious. Ultimately, it’s important to find what works best for your household and budget.