The Dirty Dozen and Clean Fifteen of 2024: A Guide to Pesticides in Produce
As we strive to make healthier choices in our diets, understanding the impact of pesticides on our produce becomes crucial. The Environmental Working Group (EWG) has once again released its annual Shopper’s Guide to Pesticides in Produce, highlighting the fruits and vegetables with the highest and lowest pesticide residues. Here’s a detailed look at the Dirty Dozen and Clean Fifteen for 2024.
The Dirty Dozen
The Dirty Dozen list includes the twelve fruits and vegetables found to have the highest levels of pesticide residues. These are the items you should consider buying organic to reduce your exposure to harmful chemicals. For 2024, the Dirty Dozen are:
Strawberries: Topping the list again, strawberries are frequently found to have multiple pesticide residues.
Spinach: Loaded with nutrients but also high in pesticide contamination.
Kale, Collard, and Mustard Greens: Over half of the samples tested contained residues of potentially harmful pesticides.
Grapes: Known for their sweetness, grapes are also notorious for high pesticide residues.
Peaches: Almost all peaches tested were found to have various pesticide residues.
Pears: A significant increase in pesticide contamination has been noted since 2010.
Nectarines: Often treated with multiple pesticides.
Apples: Regularly treated with chemical preservatives after harvest.
Bell and Hot Peppers: Both varieties have been found to have high levels of pesticide residues.
Cherries: Detected with multiple pesticide residues.
Blueberries: Newly added to the list, blueberries have shown high levels of pesticides.
Green Beans: Also new to the list, green beans are often treated with pesticides that have strict EPA regulations.
The Clean Fifteen
On the other end of the spectrum, the Clean Fifteen list highlights fruits and vegetables with the lowest levels of pesticide residues. These items are generally safer to buy in their conventional forms. The Clean Fifteen for 2024 are:
Avocados: Almost no detectable pesticide residues.
Sweet Corn: Very low levels of pesticide residues.
Pineapple: Protected by their thick skin, pineapples have low pesticide contamination.
Onions: Naturally resistant to pests, resulting in low pesticide use.
Papaya: Low pesticide residues detected.
Sweet Peas (frozen): Found to have very low levels of pesticides.
Asparagus: Low pesticide residues detected.
Honeydew Melon: Low in pesticide contamination.
Kiwi: Naturally low in pesticide residues.
Cabbage: Low levels of pesticide contamination.
Mushrooms: Low pesticide residues detected.
Mangoes: Found to have low levels of pesticide residues.
Sweet Potatoes: Low in pesticide contamination.
Watermelon: Protected by their thick rinds, watermelons have low pesticide residues.
Carrots: Low levels of pesticide residues detected.
Why It Matters
Nearly 75% of non-organic fresh produce sold in the U.S. contains residues of potentially harmful pesticides. By choosing organic for items on the Dirty Dozen list and conventional for those on the Clean Fifteen list, consumers can make informed choices to reduce their exposure to these chemicals.
Conclusion
Making smart choices about the produce you consume can significantly reduce your exposure to harmful pesticides. Referencing EWG's 2024 Shopper’s Guide to Pesticides in Produce can help you navigate these choices more effectively. For more detailed information and to download the full guide, visit the EWG’s official website.
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