The Dirty Dozen and The Clean Fifteen™ (2026)

Summer produce is hitting its full glory, with luscious fruits and vibrant vegetables beckoning you at the farmers market, the grocery store or perhaps in your own backyard.

Choosing organic is always a good choice - both for your health and for the farmworkers who grow and harvest for you.

But organic is not always available and can be pricey. And when eating out, with rare exceptions the produce will be conventional.

Some produce is heavily laden with pesticides when grown conventionally; others not so much. Knowing which is which can be a great help for avoiding chemicals.

Enter the Environmental Working Group’s 2026 Dirty Dozen and Clean Fifteen™ Lists! These lists are updated annually, so it’s a good idea to bookmark these links to keep current. 

The Dirty Dozen are the worst offenders of pesticide-doused produce; avoid conventionally grown whenever possible:

1. Spinach
2. Kale, Collard, and Mustard Greens
3. Strawberries
4. Grapes
5. Nectarines
6. Peaches
7. Cherries
8. Apples
9. Blackberries
10. Pears
11. Potatoes
12. Blueberries

The Clean Fifteen are the safest conventionally grown fruits and vegetables.

1. Pineapples
2. Sweet Corn
3. Avocados
4. Papayas
5. Onions
6. Sweet Peas (frozen)
7. Asparagus
8. Cabbage
9. Cauliflower
10. Watermelon
11. Mango
12. Bananas
13. Carrots
14. Mushrooms
15. Kiwi

Download a wallet-size version of the two lists here. Save it to your phone for whenever you are shopping, or go old school and print and put it in your wallet.

Enjoy the bounty of summer, safely!
Kirstin Lindquist
Owner