Inorganic contamination of commercially grown foods

These lists are from the US based Environmental Working Group (https://www.ewg.org/foodnews/dirty-dozen.php). They are based on agricultural practices in the US, however, given the similarity of methods used, they could be considered a useful guide to pesticide contamination of commercially grown food here. These lists can help you to weigh up which foods to prioritise buying organic when that is possible. When buying organic foods is not possible, it is advisable to opt for those foods on the clean 15 list, especially for foods that you use as staples.

THE DIRTY DOZEN + (2019)

  1. Strawberries
  2. Spinach
  3. Kale
  4. Nectarines
  5. Apples
  6. Grapes
  7. Peaches
  8. Cherries
  9. Pears
  10. Tomatoes
  11. Celery
  12. Potatoes
  13. Hot Peppers

THE CLEAN 15 (2019)

  1. Avocados
  2. Sweet Corn
  3. Pineapples
  4. Sweet Peas Frozen
  5. Onions
  6. Papayas
  7. Eggplants
  8. Asparagus
  9. Kiwi
  10. Cabbage
  11. Cauliflower
  12. Cantaloupe
  13. Broccoli
  14. Mushrooms
  15. Honeydew Melons