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I use the Dirty Dozen list below to decide which produce is most important to buy organic. My budget doesn’t allow for 100% organic—and that’s okay—this list helps me make smart, realistic choices for my family, and I hope it helps you do the same.

I began blogging here in 2013, during a season of inspiration and financial uncertainty. After moving my family from Los Angeles to Central Florida without health insurance and relying on WIC for groceries—an experience that showed me how simple food choices helped us get sick less often and recover more quickly.

Today, with more stability, I can choose organic produce more often, but my belief hasn’t changed: all produce is good, and the goal is simply to eat more fruits and vegetables, enjoy the process, and nourish our families every day.

What is the Dirty Dozen?

The Dirty Dozen is an annual list from the Environmental Working Group that highlights fruits and vegetables with the highest pesticide residues based on government testing data.

Dirty Dozen List of 2025

Below are the fruits and vegetables on the 2025 Dirty Dozen, with a simple, practical explanation of what to know when buying each one.

fresh spinach in a bundle bound by a rubber band.

Spinach

Spinach has more pesticide residues by weight than any other produce tested, often containing multiple chemicals on a single sample. This is one of my go-to leafy green vegetables for smoothies and salads.

I buy organic spinach at Costco for less than $6 to use smoothies and and freeze spinach if I won’t use it up quick enough.

bowl of fresh strawberries

Strawberries

The average American eats about eight pounds of strawberries each year—and conventional berries can come with dozens of pesticide residues. Their porous skin absorbs chemicals easily, making organic strawberries the safer choice.

Strawberries drop in price during spring and summer— that’s when I can afford organic.

Man holding kale bunch for dirty dozen list

Kale, Collard & Mustard Greens

More than half of kale samples tested were tainted with potentially cancer-causing pesticides. These hearty greens are nutritional powerhouses, but organic versions significantly reduce pesticide exposure.

Sprouts and Publix have BOGO deals on organic kale all the time. You can freeze kale if you have a surplus.

red and green grapes on counter after being washed

Grapes

Conventional grapes frequently test positive for multiple pesticide residues, including some not approved in other countries. Since grapes are eaten whole with the skin, choosing organic makes a meaningful difference.

dirty dozen peaches cut in half on counter

Peaches

Peaches pack a punch when it comes to pesticide contamination, largely due to their delicate skin. Washing doesn’t remove everything, so organic peaches are worth the upgrade.

organic red cherries in a bowl

Cherries

Cherries often contain pesticide residues that penetrate the fruit’s skin and remain after washing. Because they’re typically eaten fresh, organic cherries are the better option when available.

Fresh nectarines cut on counter with plate

Nectarines

Like peaches, nectarines have thin skins that allow pesticides to linger. Organic nectarines help limit exposure to residues linked to hormone and nervous-system disruption.

organic pears cut in half

Pears

Pears rank among the most pesticide-contaminated fruits on EWG’s Dirty Dozen list. Buying organic pears is especially important since residues can remain even after peeling.

fresh picked apples in a bowl.

Apples

Apples are often treated with chemicals after harvest to prevent spoilage and improve appearance. Choosing organic apples helps avoid these post-harvest pesticide coatings.

Fresh picked organic blackberries in cartons.

Blackberries

Blackberries landed on the Dirty Dozen after USDA testing began in 2023. Early results show concerning pesticide levels, making organic blackberries the smarter choice.

Bowl of blueberries on the dirty dozen list

Blueberries

Blueberries are back on the Dirty Dozen, with traces of several toxic pesticides detected. Their delicate skin offers little protection, so organic blueberries are strongly recommended.

Dirty potatoes in bowl getting washed and peeled

Potatoes

Potatoes—America’s most consumed vegetable—round out the 2025 Dirty Dozen. They often contain pesticide residues in both the skin and flesh, making organic potatoes a wise swap.

How to Use the Dirty Dozen

You don’t need to buy everything organic to eat well. Prioritize organic options for Dirty Dozen produce when you can, and feel confident choosing conventional produce—especially from the Clean Fifteen—for the rest. Progress over perfection.

The Environmental Working Group uses USDA and FDA data for its lists, but groups like the Alliance for Food and Farming caution that fear-based messaging can discourage produce consumption. I use the Dirty Dozen as a guide, not a rule—buy what works for your family and focus on eating more fruits and vegetables overall.

Organic Produce Tip

You can save money on organic produce at local farms. Ask the farmer directly about their farming practices—I find that many farmers follow strict practices that limit pesticide exposure, yet aren’t USDA certified organic because it is a very expensive and extensive process to follow. I feel comfortable purchasing from these vendors after talking to them and understanding how they farm.

white hand holding purple grapes under a running faucet.

Common Questions

Does the Dirty Dozen mean these foods are unsafe to eat?

No. The list is not a warning to avoid these foods—it’s a guide to help you decide where buying organic may reduce pesticide exposure.

Do I need to buy everything organic?

Not at all. Many people use the Dirty Dozen to prioritize organic purchases for a small group of produce while buying conventional options for everything else.

Can washing produce remove pesticides?

Washing helps remove dirt, bacteria, and some surface residues, but it doesn’t eliminate all pesticides. That’s why organic choices can matter most for Dirty Dozen items.

Is conventional produce still healthy?

Yes—100%. Eating fruits and vegetables, organic or not, is far better than avoiding produce altogether.

Why does the Dirty Dozen change each year?

The list updates annually based on new testing data from the USDA, which may include newly tested produce or changes in residue levels.

Do you follow the Dirty Dozen list? Your feedback helps me and all the readers in this community. And if you’re interested in more plant-based recipes (and exclusive content), sign up for my weekly recipe newsletter.

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Comments

  1. Am just the devils advocate here. But for fruits and veggies to be organic they must have warms and some pest in the. So how is it that whole foods target and the likes can commercially grow food and somehow worms and pest don’t get attracted? Do your research on organic forget the labels and certificates those are bought. Clean your produce very good. And remember cancer is not new. It has been with humans for a while before it become a name.

    Reply

    1. Hey Margaret,

      Thank for reaching out to us. Since we are not doctors or nutritionists, we suggest that any member of community with health concerns to speak to their healthcare provider to confirm that green smoothies and the natural sugars are okay for their eating plan. Here is a link to our favorite low sugar fruits.

      https://simplegreensmoothies.com/low-sugar-fruits

      Hope that helps.

  3. I see that corn is not on the list of the dirty dozen. I have read that corn and soy are at least 80% of the time genetically modified now. Which means they most likely used toxic spay on them as well or why bother to use gmo corn and soy. I saw another list recently that also said corn is safe. I have a lot of contacts that say differently. I wonder who is correct?

    Reply

    1. Hey Tanya.

      We enjoy reading from EWG.com for our dirty dozen advice.

    2. Hi Tanya,

      The label “Organic” means that the fruit/vegetable has not been sprayed with any pesticides AND that is not a GMO. Non-organic corn and soy are more often than not grown from Monsanto GMO seeds and therefore do not require a lot of pesticide spraying because they have been genetically modified to resist the pests in the first place. This means that if you want to avoid GMOs you will want to buy only organic corn and soy, however, if you are only concerned with pesticide sprays you will be fine buying non-organic.

      Hope that helps 🙂

    3. I do not have a website, but I take issue with your response to Monsanto GMO seeds. These fields are sprayed with Round up weed Killer that is known to kill bees. They also spray their fields with Agent Orange when the weeds get to strong for Round up. They may have handled the bugs, but they hold growers hostage with their weed killers. I would not eat any GMO foods if you can avoid it. There are many reports on these products and tests have been done on these products with rats and they have grown large tumors. Round Up has also been proven to cause cancer in Humans. Monsanto bought its way out of having to run tests to have their corn and soy and beets that they have modified to see if they were safe for human consumption. You have to know that their is something wrong with this picture.

  4. You have mentioned Kale and Collard green among the dirty dozen along with Potatoes. However, you have also mentioned Kale as a Superfood. I am confused !

    Reply

    1. Hey Mohsin.

      The Dirty Dozen is for items that you should try to buy Organic. The EWG released their 2013 Dirty Dozen organic produce list, which helps us decide what produce we should definitely be buying organic. There are 14 produce items that should be non-negotiable. Kale is a superfood. 🙂 To benefit from kale in the best way possible, try to buy organic Kale, so we do not have pesticide in your food. Hope this answers your question.

    2. They are super foods, but “Don”t be confused”. Eat the organic ones. Or if possible, grow your own. They are very easy to grow.

  5. Bare in mind that you get organic pesticides too. Some are downright nasty. Wash all produce!

    Reply

    1. Wonderful! I love coffee too, but I hated the ups and down of energy.

  7. Just about to give green smoothies a crack, and wondering if beets go in raw? And what about swiss chard – do you cook to reduce the oxalic acid? And remove the stems? Thx!

    Reply

  8. I make friends with every produce worker at my local grocery store. I ask tons of questions, they let me try items, etc… The honesty, friendship, and information saves me time, energy, money, and waste.

    Closest thing I could find to a local farmers market…..since there are none in my area that actually sell farm-fresh produce. They sell art and cards, etc…. Kinda frustrating.

    Reply

    1. Awesome! Glad they are sharing their insight in their fresh produce. 🙂

  9. I always wash my fruits and veggies in a solution of vinegar and salt. I use a plastic wash tub, 1 cup of vinegar and 2 tablespoons of salt to a tub of water. Depending on the fruit or veggie I soak from half a minute to a minute then rinse. Berries half a minute, leafy greens a minute, apples, carrots cucumbers etc a minute then lightly scrub with veggies brush. It’s amazing the dirt and sometimes little bugs that come off your produce. I can’t always buy organic but even when I do I still soak.

    Reply

  10. So they say ‘organic’…. but how do you know if they are ACTUALLY organic? Just curious.

    Reply

    1. All produce is marked. If its organic, it will include the USDA Organic sticker. Also look for the stickers on fruits and veg (PLU codes). If it begins with an 8, then its a GMO product, begins with 4 means conventionally grown, Begins with 9, then its organic.

    1. That’s ok, Tifa! Fruit and veggies are better than no fruit and veggies… even if they aren’t organic! Do what you can do!

  12. Are these smoothies sufficient as a breakfast meal on its own or we do need to complement the smoothie with sth else for a complete nutritious breakfast. If so, what foods do u suggest that goes with the smoothie for a complete breakfast.

    Reply

  13. Hello Simple Green Smoothies,
    I just signed up for the April challenge today with two of my coworkers and we are so excited!!!
    I have an ordinary blender and a Breville Juicer. Which would you recommend for the challenge? I may have a mini power blender(cant remember the brand name) hanging around in my kitchen too.
    Thanks in advance 🙂

    Reply

    1. Hey Crystal!
      Our site is all about blending green smoothies, so any ordinary blender or mini power blender will do 🙂 Some people follow along with their juicers, but we don’t really have much advice for them since we aren’t too experienced with juicing.

  14. Hello,

    Do you ever use cucumber? I have been looking through you recipes and have not seen it. Could I use that instead of banana?
    Also what about pumpkin? or would that be gross.
    Are there any other veggies you use or just the greens?

    Reply

  15. Sorry if this is mention somewhere already, but when using Kale and spinach, do you clean it and use it right away in a smoothie or should I cook it first and then put in a smoothie? Also is it the same for storing it? Is there a difference if I’m using organic produce or not?

    Reply

    1. Hi Michelle!
      We do not cook the leafy greens before using. We like keeping them raw and full of nutrients!

  16. In Miami area. Look up “Jerry’s Here” in different locations at farmers markets. His produce in not sprayed and is absolutely beautiful. His cell number is 305-506-5279. He is at different markets throughout the week. He is honest, hard working, and fun to talk with.

    Reply

  19. I will definately try to buy organic after seeing this, but what’s your recommended way of cleaning nonorganic produce?

    Reply

    1. Hi Saray!
      The top section (Dirty Dozen) are the fruits/veggies that have the most pesticides used on them on average. This means that you should really try to buy those items organic if you are going to be anything organic 🙂