Skip to content

Top Navigation

Cooking Light Cooking Light
  • Recipes
  • Cooking 101
  • Eating Smart
  • Healthy Living
  • News

Profile Menu

Your Account

Account

  • Email Preferences

Manage Your Subscription

  • All Access Subscribers
  • Magazine Subscribers
  • Cooking Light Diet Subscribers
Login
Logout
SUBSCRIBE
Pin FB

Explore Cooking Light

Cooking Light Cooking Light
  • Explore

    Explore

    • 31-Day Healthy Meal Plan

      Our 31-day calendar of meals and tips shows you how to cook more and love it with fun, family-friendly meals that come together quickly and deliciously. Read More
    • Dinner Tonight: Quick and Healthy Menus in 45 Minutes (or Less)

      Hundreds of delicious recipes, paired with simple sides, that can be on your table in 45 minutes or less. Read More
    • Our Favorite Healthy Air Fryer Recipes

      Who ever said that chicken wings, doughnuts, and pizza couldn't be healthy? Read More
  • Recipes

    Recipes

    See All Recipes
    • Breakfast & Brunch
    • Lunch
    • Dinner
    • Drinks
    • Recipe Makeovers
    • Quick & Healthy
    • Diabetic
    • Gluten-Free
    • Vegetarian
    • Cooking Light Live
  • Cooking 101

    Cooking 101

    See All Cooking 101
    • Essential Ingredients
    • Cooking Techniques
    • Meet the Chef
    • Cooking Resources
    • Budget Friendly
    • Smart Choices
  • Eating Smart
  • Healthy Living

    Healthy Living

    See All Healthy Living
    • Weight-Loss
    • Health
    • Fitness
    • Home
    • Travel
    • Nutrition 101
  • News

Profile Menu

Your Account

Account

  • Email Preferences

Manage Your Subscription

  • All Access Subscribers
  • Magazine Subscribers
  • Cooking Light Diet Subscribers
Login
Logout
Sweepstakes

Follow Us

  1. Home
  2. Recipes
  3. The Dirty Dozen: Which Produce Should I Always Buy Organic?

The Dirty Dozen: Which Produce Should I Always Buy Organic?

By Elizabeth Laseter March 20, 2019
Skip gallery slides
Pin
Credit: Photo: Randy Mayor
When it comes to produce, there’s a dilemma that every grocery shopper faces: organic or conventional? The Environmental Working Group (EWG), a nonprofit organization dedicated to protecting human health and the environment, crafts the annual “Dirty Dozen” list to show consumers the fruits and veggies they should buy organic when possible. Scroll through to see their 2019 list. 
Start Slideshow

1 of 12

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

1. Strawberries

Credit: Getty Images / Siw Vththi Wn Di / EyeEm
See More: 20 Favorite Strawberry Recipes

For four years running, strawberries have topped the EWG's Dirty Dozen list. According to USDA data collected from 2015 to 2016, conventionally-grown strawberries contained far more pesticide residues than other fresh produce, even after rinsing. In fact, one test in particular uncovered 23 different pesticides present on strawberry samples. The EWG assert that while some of the chemicals used on strawberries are harmless, others have been linked to cancer and neurological issues.

For many years, conventional strawberries, specifically those grown in California, have been sprayed with a toxic fumigant called methyl bromide to control pests. 2017 marked the first year that farmers were not allowed to use this fumigant, but the EWG reports that other potentially harmful fumigants have taken their place. For these reasons, the EWG reccomends buying organic strawberries for the time being.

1 of 12

Advertisement
Advertisement

2 of 12

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

2. Spinach

Credit: Getty Images / Vesna Jovanovic / EyeEm
See more: Spinach Recipes

Conventional spinach is the worst offender of all leafy greens. In fact, USDA data shows that conventional spinach contains more pesticide residues by weight than any other produce tested. Samples have been shown to contain a pesticide residue called neurotoxins, which may attack nerve tissue, causing long-term health problems. The frozen variety isn’t much better, so stick with organic spinach whenever possible.

2 of 12

3 of 12

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

3. Kale

Credit: Jose Pedroso Vallejo/Getty Images
See More: Kale Recipes

New to the Dirty Dozen list this year is everyone's favorite leafy green—kale. The EWG notes that kale's popularity has soared in recent years, but conventional growing methods have been associated with a slew of pesticides. After analyzing USDA data from 2017, the EWG found that nearly 60% of conventional kale samples contained a potentially carcinogenic pesticide called Dacthal. According to the EWG, this pesticide has been banned in the European Union since 2017, but it is still used on crops like kale, broccoli, sweet potatoes, eggplants, and turnips in the U.S. Given its nutrient-dense profile, you shouldn't shy away from eating kale, so stick to organic varieties when possible. 

3 of 12

Advertisement

4 of 12

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

4. Nectarines

Credit: Photo: Janet Hudson/Getty Images

This ruby-hued, soft-skinned fruit dropped to the #4 slot on the EWG's list this year, but it still ranks near the top. Because nectarines are closely related to peaches, they also carry many of the same pesticide issues. Similarly, the EWG found that 98% of all conventional nectarines carried at least one pesticide residue. Choose organic varieties.

4 of 12

5 of 12

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

5. Apples

Credit: Getty Images: Bozena_Fulawka
See More: Our Best Apple Recipes

Rinsing is said to have little effect on removing apples’ long list of pesticide residues, according to the EWG. Conventionally-grown apples are typically treated with a chemical called diphenylamine, which helps to preserve the color of the skins during storage. Peeling the skin may help remove this chemical, but this is also where much of the apple’s nutritional benefits lie.  Stick to organic—and consider organic varieties of apple juice and applesauce, too.

5 of 12

6 of 12

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

6. Grapes

Credit: Getty Image / Chee Siong Teh / EyeEm
See more: Cooking with Grapes

According to a previous EWG study, a single conventional grape contained 15 different types of pesticides. Thin skins on grapes provide little to no defense against these potentially harmful chemicals, so go organic—and also consider organic raisins and even wine.

6 of 12

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

7 of 12

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

7. Peaches

Credit: Getty Images / xamtiw
See more: Our Best Peach Recipes

Pesticide use on peaches is widespread due to their delicate nature and attraction to pests. According to the EWG’s report, 98% of all conventional peaches contained at least one pesticide residue. Our suggestion: Buy organic.

7 of 12

8 of 12

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

8. Cherries

Credit: Getty Images / Julio Embun / EyeEm
See More: Cherry Recipes

Cherries made the EWG's list for the second year in a row. Over 90% percent of the cherry samples tested positive for two or more pesticide residues. We recommend opting for organic versions.

8 of 12

9 of 12

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

9. Pears

Credit: Getty Images / threeart
See More: Pear Recipes

Making the Dirty Dozen list for the second year in a row, pears are high ranking due to a dramatic increase in pesticide use. The amount of pesticide residue on pears has more than doubled since 2010 and more than 20 varieties were found on samples. 

9 of 12

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

10 of 12

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

10. Tomatoes

Credit: Getty Images / threeart
See More: Fresh Tomato Recipes

A large amount of tomato samples tested positive for at least one pesticide residue. We recommend opting for organic versions.

10 of 12

11 of 12

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

11. Celery

Credit: Photo: James McQuillan/Getty Images

Celery topped the EWG’s list in 2010. While this green stalky veggie has improved its score since then, it still contains higher than average pesticide residues. Similar to grapes, celery’s lack of protective skin makes it a prime target for chemical absorption.

11 of 12

12 of 12

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

12. Potatoes

Credit: Photo: Randy Mayor

Potatoes round out the Dirty Dozen list this year. Because they are tuberous stems that grow deep in the soil, potatoes absorb pesticides sprayed above the ground like a sponge. Buy organic when possible, or at least peel conventionally grown spuds.

12 of 12

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Replay gallery

Share the Gallery

Pinterest Facebook

Up Next

By Elizabeth Laseter

    Share the Gallery

    Pinterest Facebook
    Advertisement
    Skip slide summaries

    Everything in This Slideshow

    Advertisement

    View All

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

    Share & More

    Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message
    Cooking Light

    Magazines & More

    Learn More

    • Customer Service this link opens in a new tab
    • Advertise
    • Content Licensing
    • Accolades this link opens in a new tab

    Connect

    MeredithCooking Light is part of the Allrecipes Food Group. © Copyright 2023 Meredith Corporation. All Rights Reserved. Cooking Light may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. Offers may be subject to change without notice. Privacy Policythis link opens in a new tab Terms of Servicethis link opens in a new tab Ad Choicesthis link opens in a new tab California Do Not Sellthis link opens a modal window Web Accessibilitythis link opens in a new tab
    © Copyright Cooking Light. All rights reserved. Printed from https://www.cookinglight.com

    View image

    The Dirty Dozen: Which Produce Should I Always Buy Organic?
    this link is to an external site that may or may not meet accessibility guidelines.