It’s extra essential than ever to buy natural blackberries and candy potatoes, based on new information aggregated by the Environmental Working Group. These two widespread produce objects be part of ten others on the EWG’s Soiled Dozen listing of 2025.
What Are the Clear 15 and Soiled Dozen?
Over three-quarters of standard produce within the U.S. incorporates residues of probably dangerous pesticides, together with carcinogenic and neurotoxic substances. Yearly since 1999, EWG has taken benefit of Division of Agriculture information on greater than 53,000 samples of 47 vegatables and fruits to publish its Soiled Dozen listing.
The Soiled Dozen options the 12 objects with probably the most traces of pesticides on the American market. Greater than 90% of samples of standard produce on this yr’s Soiled Dozen contained pesticide residue. The group concurrently publishes a Clear Fifteen, a listing of 15 standard or non-organic produce objects least prone to comprise lethal pesticides. Collectively, these lists make up the EWG’s Shopper’s Information.
“EWG’s Shopper’s Information is a device to tell customers and assist them with their produce purchasing selections, with the purpose of everybody consuming extra vegatables and fruits,” mentioned EWG Vice President for Science Alexis Temkin, Ph.D. “For individuals seeking to cut back pesticide publicity, shopping for from the Clear Fifteen is a good place to start out.”
A New Methodology for Extra Readability
This yr, the EWG up to date its methodology: The listing now displays not simply the frequency and concentrations of pesticides, but in addition their toxicity.
“By incorporating pesticide toxicity into our rankings, we give consumers a extra full image of what’s on their produce,” mentioned Varun Subramaniam, M.S., EWG affiliate scientist. “This implies we’re not solely flagging produce with probably the most pesticides, we’re additionally highlighting these with potential well being hazards.”
Two Soiled Dozen Newcomers
Two objects — blackberries and potatoes — be part of this yr’s Soiled Dozen for the primary time, however it’s not essentially because of a sudden uptick in pesticide use. The USDA first examined blackberries in 2023, and that is the primary yr that information for this antioxidant-rich berry has been accessible.
Assessments confirmed {that a} whopping 93% of blackberry samples had pesticide residue. These included cypermethrin1, which has been recognized as a potential human carcinogen by the EPA and has been proven to disrupt thyroid hormones2. It was detected on over half of blackberries examined. If you happen to’re considering of constructing a attractive blackberry crisp or a golden beet salad with blackberries, take into account investing in natural to attempt to decrease your consumption of meals with pesticides.
Candy potatoes additionally joined the listing because of new information from the USDA, which confirmed that 90% of samples examined optimistic for chlorpropham, a sprout inhibitor used post-harvest. Chlorpropham has been linked with vascular irregularities and basic developmental toxicity3; it has been banned within the European Union since 2019.
Different Produce Objects on the Soiled Dozen Record
Apples could not hold the physician away in the event that they’re conventionally farmed: 60 p.c of apples had been discovered to be contaminated with diphenylamine, a chemical used to stop their skins from creating darkish patches in chilly storage. Some proof reveals that this substance might be carcinogenic4.
Among the worst offenders on the Soiled Dozen listing had been leafy greens like kale, collard, and mustard greens. However of all of the leafy greens, spinach was the dirtiest, with extra pesticide residues by weight than some other sort of produce.
Considered one of these pesticides is permethrin, a neurotoxic insecticide that has been banned in Europe since 2000. At excessive doses, permethrin has been discovered to overwhelm the nervous system and trigger tremors and seizures5. However even small quantities of permethrin may result in neurological issues. In a single 2015 research in Environmental Well being, kids with permethrin residues of their urine had been twice as prone to be identified with ADHD6.
The Soiled Dozen listing is rounded out with potatoes, pears, nectarines, cherries, peaches, grapes, and strawberries.
The Most secure Produce to Devour
So, is natural actually higher? EWG’s Soiled Dozen is proof that there are clear considerations related to some standard produce. And the advantages of natural produce embrace don’t cease at lowered pesticide publicity. Research have proven that consuming natural produce could result in higher cognitive operate7, lowered most cancers threat8, and better consumption of important nutritional vitamins and minerals like iron, magnesium, and vitamin C.
Nevertheless, we perceive that there are various elements that will make standard a greater possibility for you, together with worth and availability. If you happen to’re shopping for standard produce, the Clear Fifteen is the best way to go. EWG’s Clear 15 is a listing of merchandise which have considerably decrease total toxicity than objects on the Soiled Dozen listing, even when farmed conventionally.
Newcomers to the EWG’s Clear 15 embrace bananas and cauliflower. This stuff be part of frequent fliers like candy corn, avocados, papaya, onion, frozen peas, asparagus, cabbage, watermelon, mangoes, carrots, mushrooms, kiwi and pineapple. If you happen to’re frightened about toxicity however are looking for conventionally farmed produce, sticking to this EWG listing is a good place to start out.
Sources:
- https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0304383502000770
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40381747/
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32450337/
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK595851/desk/T003.001___2/?report=objectonly
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5598406/
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4458051/
- https://www.psypost.org/study-links-organic-food-consumption-to-better-cognitive-function-in-older-adults/
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10814746/
