Clean Fifteen

Every year the Environmental Working Group (EWG) produces a list of the Clean Fifteen and the Dirty Dozen. These lists refer to the relative safety and risks of pesticide residue on fruits and vegetables.

The lists are based on studies and data compiled by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) "to identify which fruits and vegetables are most and least contaminated with pesticide residues."

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulates the protocols to applying pesticides properly to crops.

If you are concerned about a particular fruit or vegetable's exposure to pesticides opt for organic produce instead. Look for this label:

The Clean Fifteen identifies those fruits and vegetables deemed relatively safe by the EWG, with avocados (at number 1) being the safest in 2021.

Below is the Clean Fifteen list for 2021:
1. Avocados
2. Sweet Corn
3. Pineapples
4. Onions
5. Papaya
6. Frozen Sweet Peas
7. Eggplant
8. Asparagus
9. Broccoli
10. Cabbage
11. Kiwifruit
12. Cauliflower
13. Mushrooms
14. Honeydew
15. Cantaloupe

Stay healthy.