Is your produce filled with pesticides? See the "Dirty Dozen" and "Clean Fifteen" list

A recent study by the Environmental Working Group revealed that conventionally grown produce in stores contained high levels of fungicides in 2024.

In their 2024 Shopper's Guide to Pesticides, the EWG explains that the data was derived from the Department of Agriculture and the Food and Drug Administration tests on 47,510 samples of 46 different fruits and vegetables.

The EWG highlights the "Dirty Dozen," a list of the top 12 produce items with the highest fungicide and pesticide residue levels. They also feature the "Clean Fifteen," which includes the top 15 produce items with the lowest levels of residue.

Here's what we know about the list.

The "Dirty Dozen" had the highest levels of pesticides on them

The "Dirty Dozen" study reveals that 209 pesticides were found on these 12 produce items, with over 50 pesticides detected on samples from each item.

Here is the "Dirty Dozen" list:

1. Strawberries

2. Spinach

3. Kale, collard and mustard greens

4. Grapes

5. Peaches

6. Pears

7. Nectarines

8. Apples

9. Bell and hot peppers

10. Cherries

11. Blueberries

12. Green beans

What are the cleanest produce products?

In contrast to the "Dirty Dozen" results, 65% of the fruits and vegetables on the "Clean Fifteen" list had no detectable pesticide residue, while 10% had residues of two or more pesticides.

Here are the "Clean Fifteen":

1. Avocados

2. Sweet corn

3. Pineapple

4. Onions

5. Papaya

6. Frozen sweet peas

7. Asparagus

8. Honeydew melon

9. Kiwi

10. Cabbage

11. Watermelon

12. Mushrooms

13. Mangoes

14. Sweet potato

15. Carrots

What types of fungicides were present on the produce?

Fungicides like fludioxonil and pyrimethanil, found on these produce items, can disrupt human hormone systems due to their endocrine-disrupting properties and have been linked to thyroid disruptions.

While having fresh fruits and vegetables in the home is important for a healthy diet, it is essential to be mindful of fungicides and other pesticides that can remain on produce even after washing.

To read the full report, you can visit the EWG website.

Jennifer Lindahl is a Breaking and Trending Reporter for the Deep South Connect Team for Gannett/USA Today. Connect with her on X @jenn_lindahl and email at jlindahl@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Montgomery Advertiser: Which fruits and vegetables show high levels of pesticides?