If you try to eat healthily but also worry about pesticide exposure, you’ve probably heard of the Dirty Dozen. It’s one of the most useful (and practical) tools for making smarter food choices - without having to buy everything organic.

Here’s a clear, no-nonsense guide to what the Dirty Dozen is, why it matters, and the 2025 Dirty Dozen list.

What is the Dirty Dozen?

The Dirty Dozen is an annual list published by the Environmental Working Group (EWG).

It ranks the 12 fruit and vegetables with the highest levels of pesticide residues when grown conventionally.

The list is based on tens of thousands of laboratory tests carried out by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). These tests measure:

• Number of different pesticide residues found
  
  
• Total pesticide load
  
  
• Frequency of residues on samples - even after washing and peeling

Important: The Dirty Dozen does not mean these foods are unsafe to eat. It simply highlights which produce benefits most from being bought organic.

Why the Dirty Dozen matters

Pesticide exposure - especially long term - has been linked in scientific studies to:

• Hormonal disruption
  
  
• Neurological effects
  
  
• Developmental risks for children
  
  
• Reduced biodiversity and soil health
  
  

Because fruit and vegetables are essential for good health, the goal isn’t to eat less produce - but to prioritise organic options where it matters most.

This is especially relevant for:

• Children and pregnant women
  
  
• People eating a lot of fresh produce
  
  
• Anyone trying to reduce their environmental footprint

The Dirty Dozen 2025 (EWG)

For 2025, the Dirty Dozen remains largely consistent with previous years, reflecting ongoing pesticide use patterns in industrial agriculture.

The 2025 Dirty Dozen List

1. Strawberries
   
   
2. Spinach
   
   
3. Kale, collard & mustard greens
   
   
4. Grapes
   
   
5. Peaches
   
   
6. Pears
   
   
7. Nectarines
   
   
8. Apples
   
   
9. Bell & hot peppers
   
   
10. Cherries
    
    
11. Blueberries
    
    
12. Green beans

💡 Several of these items regularly test positive for multiple pesticide residues on a single sample.

What should you do with this list?

You don’t need to panic - or overhaul your entire grocery shop.

A smart, realistic approach is:

Buy organic when possible for:

• Items on the Dirty Dozen
  
  
• Produce eaten raw or with the skin
  
  
• Foods your family eats frequently

Buy conventional for others.

Many fruit and vegetables consistently test low for residues (often called the “Clean Fifteen”), meaning conventional options are usually fine.

A practical tip for everyday shopping

If you’re on a budget:

• Prioritise organic for the Dirty Dozen
  
  
• Be flexible with the rest
  
  
• Wash produce thoroughly (even organic)
  
  
• Support farms that use transparent, responsible growing practices
  
  

Eating more fruit and vegetables - organic or not - is always better than eating fewer.

Final thoughts

The Dirty Dozen is not about fear.

It’s about awareness, choice, and impact - on your health, on farmers, and on the environment.

By using the Dirty Dozen as a guide, you can make informed decisions that align with both your values and your lifestyle - without guilt, and without perfectionism

Our ShiokMarket is open between Tuesday 5pm and Thursday 10am: you can place your order of organic fruit and vegetables and have it delivered the next Tuesday/Wednesday.