Dirty Dozen 2025: Identifying pesticide risks in produce

The Environmental Working Group (EWG) has released its annual "Dirty Dozen" list for 2025, highlighting the twelve fruits and vegetables most contaminated with pesticide residues in the United States.  

The EWG's analysis is based on over 53 000 samples of various produce tested by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). The samples were subjected to washing, peeling, and scrubbing, reflecting the pesticide levels typically left after home preparation. This year, the EWG updated its methodology, incorporating not just the amount and frequency of pesticide residues but also the intrinsic toxicity of the detected substances. This change aims to provide a more comprehensive understanding of pesticide risks.  

Pesticide exposure has been linked to numerous health issues, including endocrine disruptions and neurological damage. Studies have suggested that a combination of pesticide exposures might pose greater risks than individual substances, although this area remains under-researched.  

For the first time, blackberries have entered the Dirty Dozen list, with alarming findings: 93% of the samples contained pesticide residues, averaging four different substances per fruit. Potatoes, absent from the list in recent years, return due to the widespread use of chlorpropham, a growth regulator linked to health risks. Despite being banned in Europe, it remains legal in the U.S.  

The complete 2025 Dirty Dozen list includes:  
1. Spinach  
2. Strawberries  
3. Kale, mustard greens, and cabbage  
4. Grapes  
5. Peaches  
6. Cherries  
7. Nectarines  
8. Pears
9. Apples  
10. Blackberries  
11. Blueberries  
12. Potatoes
In addition, the EWG identified "Plus" products with significant toxicity, including sweet and hot peppers, and green beans.

Across the analyzed samples, a total of 203 different pesticides were detected, with each non-potato item averaging at least four pesticides per sample.  

The EWG also provides a "Clean Fifteen" list, showcasing produce with the least pesticide residues, which includes: pineapple, sweet corn (fresh and frozen), avocado, papaya, onions, peas (frozen), asparagus, cabbage, watermelon, cauliflower, bananas, mangoes, carrots, mushrooms, aand kiwi. Almost 60% of samples from the Clean Fifteen showed no detectable pesticide residues, with avocados, papayas, and pineapples highlighting low toxicity levels.  

Critics, including the Alliance for Food and Farming, argue that the EWG's list can be alarmist, reminding consumers that all produce sold must meet legal safety standards. Despite differing opinions, the EWG's guide serves as a valuable resource for making informed dietary choices while navigating the complexities of pesticide exposure.  

Source:  

EWG