New Additions to the EWG’s “Dirty Dozen” List

The Environmental Working Group (EWG) has recently included blackberries and potatoes in its “dirty dozen” list, highlighting agricultural products that have significant pesticide residues.

Blackberries took the 10th spot, while potatoes came in at number 12, according to an updated list released on Wednesday. This change stems from fresh data provided by the US Department of Agriculture (USDA), which first evaluated blackberries in 2023.

The USDA reported that a striking 93% of blackberry samples had traces of pesticides, with an average of four different chemicals present in each sample. Notably, over half of these samples contained sylmethrin, a pesticide the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has labeled as a potential carcinogen for humans.

Potatoes made their way onto the list following new findings from the USDA, showing that 90% of samples contained chlorprofam, a substance banned in the European Union due to health risks.

Meanwhile, legacy produce still holds the top position on the “Dirty Dozen” list.

Spinach ranks first, having the highest pesticide residue per weight among all produce types, followed by strawberries at number two.

Kale, collard greens, and mustard greens were grouped together at number three, with EWG noting that more than half of kale samples tested positive for pesticides associated with cancer risks.

The rankings continue with grapes at number four, peaches in fifth place, cherries at number six, pears at seven, apples eighth, blackberries at nine, blueberries at eleven, and potatoes rounding out the list at twelve.

The guide is based on a comprehensive analysis of over 53,000 samples of 47 different fruits and vegetables, as reported by EWG. These tests were conducted after washing, scrubbing, or peeling the produce.

According to EWG, while pesticide residues may persist on fruits and vegetables, washing them remains crucial to mitigate pesticide levels, dirt, and potential bacterial risk.

For those keen on avoiding produce from the “dirty dozen,” EWG advises opting for organic alternatives.

In addition, EWG also publishes a “Clean 15” list, which features produce with low toxicity levels overall. This year, pineapples topped the list, followed by sweet corn (both fresh and frozen), avocados, papayas, and onions.

Positions six through fifteen include sweet peas (frozen), asparagus, cabbage, watermelon, cauliflower, bananas, mangoes, carrots, mushrooms, and kiwis.

Interestingly, EWG noted that nearly 60% of the traditional produce on the clean list showed no detectable pesticide residues, contrasting sharply with the fact that most of the samples in the “dirty dozen” contained potentially harmful chemicals.