While it’s preferred to opt for organic fruits and veggies, it’s not always affordable.
A sensible approach is to try and prioritise organic or spray-free product where pesticide risk is lowest.
Here’s a list of the top 12 fruits and veggies with the most pesticides (the Dirty Dozen) and the top 15 with the least pesticides (the Clean 15).
The Dirty Dozen
- Strawberries
- Spinach
- Kale, collard, mustard greens
- Grapes
- Peaches
- Pears
- Nectarines
- Apples
- Bell & Hot Peppers
- Cherries
- Blueberries
- Green Beans
The Clean 15
- Avocados
- Sweet corn
- Pineapple
- Onions
- Papaya
- Sweet peas
- Asparagus
- Honeydew melon
- Kiwi
- Cabbage
- Watermelon
- Mushrooms
- Mangoes
- Sweet potatoes
- Carrots