For the fourth straight year strawberries top the list as the food with the highest levels of pesticides, followed by Spinach and Kale.

The nonprofit Environmental Working Group (EWG) each spring publishes a list of fruits and vegetables containing elevated levels of pesticides called the Dirty Dozen.

The annual list of the 12 most contaminated produce is based on 40,900 samples tested by the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the Food and Drug Administration.

For the fourth straight year strawberries top the table as the food with the most pesticides, followed by Spinach and Kale.

Samples are tested for pesticides after they have been thoroughly washed and, when applicable, peeled.

EWG

On the other side of the fence the organization also publishes a second list of fruits and vegetables containing low levels of pesticides referred to as the Clean Fifteen.

Avocados top the clean food list, followed by sweet corn and pineapples.

“It is important to note that the samples are tested for pesticides after they have been prepared to be eaten. This means the produce has been thoroughly washed and, when applicable, peeled,” EWG.

The 2020 Dirty Dozen Fruits and Vegetables List

1. Strawberries
2. Spinach
3. Kale
4. Nectarines
5. Apples
6. Grapes
7. Peaches
8. Cherries
9. Pears
10. Tomatoes
11. Celery
12. Potatoes

Source

The 2020 Clean Fifteen Food List

1. Avocados
2. Sweet corn
3. Pineapple
4. Onions
5. Papaya
6. Sweet Peas (Frozen)
7. Eggplant
8. Asparagus
9. Cauliflower
10. Cantaloupes
11. Broccoli
12. Mushrooms
13. Cabbage
14. Honeydew Melon
15. Kiwi

Source