When To Buy Organic Produce

By Nicole Flaherty, NTP

The Dirty Dozen and the Clean Fifteen are lists created by the Environmental Working Group that is based on the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Pesticide Data Program. The lists are updated yearly and rank pesticide contamination in fruits and vegetables. The Dirty Dozen includes what produce is exposed to the most pesticides and therefore should be purchased organic. The Clean Fifteen shares the top 15 foods with the least amount of pesticides. Ideally, all food should be purchased organic but this can lead to high expenses and can also be difficult to find. Using the dirty dozen and clean fifteen as guides for what food that year is the best to buy organic can help prioritize spending. Take these lists with you to the grocery store to help determine when it is best to buy organic vs. conventional. 

2021 Dirty Dozen

1. Strawberries 

2. Spinach

3. Kale, Collard & Mustard Greens

4. Nectarines 

5. Apples 

6. Grapes

7. Peaches 

8. Cherries 

9. Pears 

10. Tomatoes 

11. Celery 

12. Hot Peppers 

2021 Clean Fifteen 

1. Avocados

2. Sweet Corn 

3. Pineapples 

4. Sweet Peas

5. Onions 

6. Papayas 

7. Eggplants

8. Asparagus 

9. Kiwi

10. Cabbage

11. Cauliflower

12. Cantaloupe

13. Broccoli

14. Mushrooms 

15. Honeydew Melons

** A small amount of sweet corn, papaya and summer squash sold in the United States is produced from genetically modified seeds. Buy organic varieties of these crops if you want to avoid genetically modified produce.