The Dirty Dozen: Top 12 Most Pesticide Filled Foods

It’s safe to say that nearly every one is aware that non-organic food is grown with pesticides but until recently, people weren’t thinking about exactly how much there was in each food. By the sounds of their name, you would think “The Dirty Dozen” is notorious for bad rhymes but they are the twelve most pesticide filled foods.

Environmental Working Group (EWG) created this list based on pesticide tests done by the US Department of Agriculture and the FDA. By purchasing organic versions of these highly pesticide filled foods, you can improve the quality of the food you put in your body and reduce the amount of toxins you are consuming.

Top 12 Most Pesticide Filled Foods (In Order)

1. Apples
2. Celery
3. Strawberries
4. Peaches
5. Spinach
6. Nectarines (imported)
7. Grapes (imported)
8. Sweet bell peppers
9. Potatoes
10. Blueberries (domestic)
11. Lettuce
12. Kale/collard greens

Knowing what not to eat is only half the battle so thanks to EWG’s research skills, we have also included their list of 15 fruits and veggies that are the least pesticide filled foods. This is list of is the foods that in most cases are pretty safe to buy without the need for purchasing the organic versions.

Top 15 Least Pesticide Filled Foods “The Clean 15”

1. Onions
2. Sweet corn
3. Pineapples
4. Avocados
5. Asparagus
6. Sweet peas
7. Mangoes
8. Eggplant
9. Cantaloupe (domestic)
10. Kiwi
11. Cabbage
12. Watermelon
13. Sweet potatoes
14. Grapefruit
15. Mushrooms

Just because the first list contains the most pesticide filled foods doesn’t mean you should avoid them altogether. Simply stick to buying the items in the dirty dozen from the organic section and make more budget conscious decisions, if necessary, when purchasing from “the clean 15” – catchy, isn’t it?

When you buy your produce it is always important to thoroughly wash it. According to WebMD, it can make a significant difference.

Easy Ways To Stay Healthy

Avoiding the most pesticide filled foods on the dirty dozen list is one of 21 healthy lifestyle strategies we provide in our free eBook: Top 21 Natural Ways To Stay Healthy. Learn about the secret superfoods that will boost your immunity and give you more energy. Download it instantly for free here.