Blackberries and potatoes joined the lineup this year.
CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The Environmental Working Group (EWG) has released its annual “Dirty Dozen” list for 2025, flagging the fresh fruits and vegetables most likely to carry pesticide residues — and offering insight into how your grocery cart could be impacted.
According to the report, more than 90% of samples from 12 commonly consumed fruits and vegetables tested positive for potentially harmful pesticide contamination.
Spinach ranked No. 1 this year, with more pesticide residue by weight than any other produce tested. Also returning to the list were strawberries, kale, collard greens and grapes.
Two notable additions in 2025: Blackberries, which appear for the first time, and potatoes, which rejoined the list after several years off.
The annual rankings are designed to help consumers make informed decisions about when it might be worth choosing organic — especially for families buying high-consumption items.
The EWG also released its “Clean Fifteen” list — produce items that had the lowest levels of pesticide contamination. Pineapples topped the clean list, followed by sweet corn and avocados.
For shoppers, the list can serve as a guide to minimizing exposure to pesticide residues while sticking to a budget. You can find the EWG’s full report here.
