Dirty Dozen and Clean Fifteen

According to the Environmental Working Group choosing to buy certain organic food can significantly lower residue exposure by as much as about 90%. The group came up with a list of fruits and vegetables that are recommended to avoid as they are known to contain high levels of pesticide residues. These foods, referred to as the ‘Dirty Dozen’ readily absorb pesticides and retain them so even if washed, they will still have noticeable levels of residues. The ability of a fruit or vegetable to retain or repel pesticides is dependent on its outer shell or protective layer.

The Dirty Dozen is a list published by the Environmental Working Group that prioritizes the fruits and veggies that should buy organic because of their high levels of pesticide residue. They have also published the Clean Fifteen, which lists produce that has low levels of pesticide residue so there’s no need to spend more on organically grown varieties.