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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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Common Questions
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.
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.
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.
Yes—100%. Eating fruits and vegetables, organic or not, is far better than avoiding produce altogether.
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.
Hi Jane,
We’re right there with you! We hate seeing good produce, go bad. That’s why we personally love using our freezer. It helps keep our favorite fruits, veggies, + leafy greens at their peak freshness.
Learn how we freeze our leafy greens for green smoothies here…
https://simplegreensmoothies.com/how-to-freeze-spinach
Looking for a rawkin’ veggie/fruit wash? Look no further than this wash from Cafe Johnsonia, it inspired our own all-natural wash included in our new book!
Hiya I just wanted to say.as a single person I also struggled with this problem.I have freeze everything I can.also when I use half an apple I rub it in a lemon then I store it with other cut up veggies in a tub with the lemon…seems to keep all fresh.also you can build a mini version of a turnip shed (Google it)is have amd it keep my veggies fresher for longer…I have not chucked anything out in ages good luck x
Thanks ladies,
I was hoping you have more information in reference to pesticides and how much pesticide is used and how often is the produce sprayed or is it filtered into the irrigation of the plant throughout its life span. What other requirements does a plant need? This would help us understand more of what we a putting into our body. Right now if you don’t buy organic we are drinking pesticide. I grew up on a agricultural plantation and we move because the pesticides were making my father a little heady. There was no education on the application of pesticides you just mix it up and off you go it didn’t sit write with my father to be spraying pesticides and then on selling to the people. You can’t really have an organic farm next to a conventional the forces of nature will blow residual pesticide at the time of application. He would always spray the crop when wind was low. I love to see more research in pesticides we are drinking when not organic.
Hi Anthony,
Thank you so much for reaching out + sharing your interest in learning more about pesticide practices. We agree it’s definitely important to speak with your local farmers, market, + produce providers to knowing exactly how your favorite fruits + leafy greens are being grown. You may be interested in checking out EWG’s website it’s all about know where your food comes from + how to protect your health!
Here’s the link…
My kids and I are excitedly going through the list. Favorite? We have enjoyed each one so much, Beginner’s Luck surely made it seem easy from the get go. None of us are bigs fans of grapefruit, but your recipes encourage us to try something new and to be open to the new flavors on each of tgem. Thank you for helping me teach my children the importance of living healthy.
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.
Hi Justsome,
We so appreciate you reaching out + sharing your insight! We definitely agree it’s important to do your research and wash your fruits + veggies. Have you seen our post on how we wash our produce?
https://simplegreensmoothies.com/dirty-dozen-list
Cheers 🙂
Hey,
Is this okay for type 2 diabetic?
Thanks
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.
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?
Hey Tanya.
We enjoy reading from EWG.com for our dirty dozen advice.
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 🙂
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.
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 !
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.
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.
Bare in mind that you get organic pesticides too. Some are downright nasty. Wash all produce!
Yes, we agree! Have you read our blog on washing your fruits and veggies?
https://simplegreensmoothies.com/dirty-dozen-list
Green smoothies replaces my Coffee twice a day and it gives me more energy
Wonderful! I love coffee too, but I hated the ups and down of energy.
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!
Here are some tips on beets, Scully.
https://simplegreensmoothies.com/anti-inflammatory-smoothie-recipe
We do not cook swiss chard. You can remove the stems if they are leaving chunks in your smoothie.
Hope that helps. 🙂
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.
Awesome! Glad they are sharing their insight in their fresh produce. 🙂