Leafy greens such as spinach and kale and perennial kid favorites such as strawberries and grapes held the highest levels of potentially harmful pesticide residues based on government tests, according to the 2026 Shopper’s Guide to Pesticides in Produce.
Nectarines, peaches, cherries, apples, blackberries, pears, potatoes and blueberries filled out this year’s “Dirty Dozen” most pesticide-laden fruits and vegetables, according to the report released Tuesday by the Environmental Working Group, or EWG, a health advocacy organization.
Spinach, which holds the top spot, had more pesticide residue by weight than any other type of produce and contained, on average, four or more different types of pesticides, according to EWG, which has published the annual report since 2004.
Samples of every produce type averaged four or more pesticides, except for potatoes, which averaged two. Consuming produce with multiple pesticides is concerning, experts say, because exposure to mixtures of pesticides may accumulate and raise risk.
To do the report, EWG examined the most recent pesticide residue tests conducted by the US Department of Agriculture on 54,344 samples of 47 fruits and vegetables.
Before the USDA examines each sample, the fruit or vegetable is peeled or scrubbed and thoroughly washed to mimic consumer behavior at home. Even after taking those steps, testing found traces of 264 pesticides — of those, 203 appeared on Dirty Dozen produce.
2026 ‘Dirty Dozen’ produce: Nearly 100% tested positive for pesticides, including ‘forever chemicals’
Children are especially susceptible to contaminants such as pesticides, even while in the womb, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics.
Forever chemicals in our food
For the first time, the report found over 60% of all Dirty Dozen samples contain pesticides that are also “forever chemicals” called PFAS. The top three most frequently detected pesticides on produce were these perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances.
PFAS are called forever chemicals because their molecular bonds can take years to decades — even centuries— to completely break down in the environment.
The solution is not to stop eating fresh produce, expert stress. Fruits and vegetables are the backbone of a healthy diet, so the key is to eat as many different types of fruits and veggies as possible.
Choosing more of the Clean Fifteen and less of the Dirty Dozen — or buying organic versions of the 12 most contaminated fruits and vegetables is an excellent way to reduce pesticide exposure, said EWG science analyst Varun Subramaniam.
Studies have shown that eating more organic than conventionally grown foods can reduce levels of pesticides in humans, he added.
All produce, even organic, should be washed before peeling so dirt and bacteria aren’t transferred from a knife onto the fruit or vegetable, according to the US Food and Drug Administration. After washing, dry with a clean cloth or paper towel.
Firm produce such as carrots, cucumbers, melons and potatoes can be scrubbed with a clean vegetable brush under running water, the FDA said. All other produce can be gently rubbed while being rinsed. There is no need to use bleach, soap or a produce wash — fruits and vegetables are porous and can absorb those chemicals.
Remove the outermost leaves of cabbage, lettuce and other leafy greens and rinse each leaf carefully — but don’t blast your greens with water, or you’ll bruise them.
Don’t forget to wash the colander afterward. Exceptions are “triple-washed” bagged greens, which the FDA said do not need an additional wash.
The 2026 Dirty Dozen™
Of the 47 items included in our analysis, these 12 fruits and vegetables were most contaminated with pesticides:
Reducing pesticide exposure from produce
As part of the annual report, EWG also creates an annual “Clean Fifteen” — a list of nonorganic produce with the least amount of pesticide residue.
The Clean Fifteen™
These 15 items had the lowest amounts of pesticide residues, according to EWG’s analysis of the most recent USDA data.
