Sarah Brown
The Dirty Dozen is a list of fruits and vegetables with the highest pesticide residue levels, compiled by the Environmental Working Group (EWG). The list is updated annually and is based on data from the United States Department of Agriculture Pesticide Data Program. The Dirty Dozen list for 2019 included mushrooms, with more than 90% of samples testing positive for two or more pesticides. However, the Dirty Dozen list for 2022 did not include mushrooms, which were replaced by mangoes. The presence of pesticides in produce is a concern for many consumers, who are increasingly demanding transparency from the food industry and opting for organic options.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Mushrooms included in the Dirty Dozen list | Yes |
| Year of inclusion | 2019 |
| Replaced | Mangoes |
| Percentage of samples containing residues from two or more pesticides | More than 92% |
| Samples containing residues from 18 different pesticides | Some |
| Samples tested positive for DCPA | Nearly 60% |
| DCPA | Herbicide used to control grasses and broadleaf weeds |
| DCPA classified as | Possible human carcinogen |
| DCPA banned by the European Union | Since 2009 |
| Number of samples tested | Nearly 41,000 |
| Number of fruits and vegetables tested | 47 |
| Dirty Dozen list | 12 crops that farmers typically use the most pesticides on |
| Clean 15 list | 15 fruits and vegetables with the lowest amount of pesticide residue |
| Clean 15 list inclusion | Yes |
| Clean 15 list year of inclusion | 2012 |
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What You'll Learn
- Mushrooms were added to the 2019 Dirty Dozen list
- The Dirty Dozen is a list of produce with the most pesticide residue
- The Clean 15 is a list of produce with the least pesticide residue
- The Dirty Dozen and Clean 15 lists are updated annually
- The Dirty Dozen list is criticised for lacking scientific methodology
Mushrooms were added to the 2019 Dirty Dozen list
The Dirty Dozen list is designed to help consumers make informed choices about the food they buy and eat. By avoiding the fruits and vegetables on the Dirty Dozen list, consumers can significantly limit their pesticide intake. The EWG analysis accompanying the list can be particularly valuable to consumers as it includes information on how to avoid pesticide residues, the health risks associated with consuming them, discussions about pesticide regulations, and the methodology used.
In addition to mushrooms, the 2019 Dirty Dozen list included kale, strawberries, apples, cherries, spinach, and nectarines. More than 90% of samples of these fruits and vegetables tested positive for two or more pesticides, with some kale samples containing residues from up to 18 different pesticides. The EWG noted that one of the pesticides found on kale, DCPA or Dacthal, is classified by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency as a possible human carcinogen and has been banned by the European Union since 2009.
While some organizations, like the Alliance for Food and Farming (AFF), have criticized the Dirty Dozen list as not being based on "established scientific procedures", the list continues to be a valuable resource for consumers concerned about the impact of pesticides on their health and the environment.
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The Dirty Dozen is a list of produce with the most pesticide residue
The Dirty Dozen list has been criticized by some organizations, such as the Alliance for Food and Farming (AFF), which claims that the list is not based on established scientific procedures and that the residue levels on conventionally grown produce are too low to cause any effects from pesticide residues. However, other sources suggest that switching from conventionally grown to organic food can significantly reduce synthetic pesticide levels in the body within a week.
In 2019, mushrooms were added to the Dirty Dozen list, replacing mangoes. More than 90% of samples of strawberries, apples, cherries, spinach, and nectarines tested positive for two or more pesticides. Kale, which was on the 2019 Dirty Dozen list, had residues from 18 different pesticides, including DCPA or Dacthal, a herbicide classified as a possible human carcinogen by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
While it is ideal to buy organic produce to avoid pesticides, it is not always feasible due to budget constraints. The Clean Fifteen list, also compiled by the EWG, includes produce with the lowest pesticide residue, which can be purchased conventionally if organic options are not available or affordable. It is still better to consume conventionally grown fruits and vegetables than to avoid them due to concerns about pesticide residues.
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The Clean 15 is a list of produce with the least pesticide residue
The Environmental Working Group (EWG) publishes the Shopper's Guide to Pesticides in Produce, which includes the Dirty Dozen and Clean 15 lists. The Clean 15 list includes the 15 fruits and vegetables with the least pesticide residue. The EWG has been producing these lists annually since 2004, based on the results of thousands of tests conducted by the USDA and FDA. The produce is made "plate-ready" and washed, peeled, and prepared before being tested, so the residues found in these studies are likely to be similar to those found on produce consumed conventionally.
The Clean 15 list for 2018 included avocados, sweet corn, cabbage, onions, and eggplant, among others. Avocados were ranked as the least pesticide-contaminated produce item, with fewer than 1% of samples showing any detectable pesticide residue. Cabbage and eggplant were also found to have low levels of pesticide residue, with 86% of cabbage samples and 75% of eggplant samples being free of any residues.
The Clean 15 list is a valuable resource for consumers who want to reduce their exposure to pesticides. While organic produce is generally recommended for lowering pesticide intake, the Clean 15 list indicates which conventionally grown fruits and vegetables have lower levels of pesticide residue. This information can help individuals make informed choices about their food purchases and consumption, especially when they are on a budget or have limited access to organic options.
It is worth noting that the Clean 15 list is updated annually, and the rankings may change over time as farming practices and pesticide usage evolve. Therefore, it is advisable to refer to the most recent list available and make informed decisions about produce selection and consumption.
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The Dirty Dozen and Clean 15 lists are updated annually
The Dirty Dozen list includes the crops that farmers typically use the most pesticides on, while the Clean 15 list describes the fruits and vegetables with the lowest amount of pesticide residue. The EWG suggests buying the Clean 15 foods when they are organically grown, as small amounts of certain produce sold in the United States are produced from genetically modified seeds.
The lists are a valuable resource for consumers, providing information on how to avoid pesticide residues and the associated health risks, as well as discussions about pesticide regulations and methodology. For example, the EWG report points out that washing fresh produce may not remove pesticide residues, as the USDA washes and peels all produce samples before testing them.
The lists are not without controversy, however. The Alliance for Food and Farming (AFF), a California-based organisation of commodity boards, major farm groups, and individual growers, claimed that the lists are not based on "established scientific procedures." The AFF also argued that residue levels on conventionally grown produce are too small to have any effect on consumers, even if a child were to consume a large number of servings in a day.
Despite this, the annual updates to the Dirty Dozen and Clean 15 lists are likely to be well-received by consumers who are increasingly demanding transparency from the food industry regarding pesticide residues on fresh produce.
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The Dirty Dozen list is criticised for lacking scientific methodology
The Dirty Dozen is a list of fruits and vegetables with the highest amount of pesticide residue, compiled by the Environmental Working Group (EWG). The list is updated annually and is based on the results of thousands of samples of fruits and vegetables tested by the USDA and the Food and Drug Administration. The EWG's list has been criticised for lacking scientific methodology and transparency.
The Alliance for Food and Farming (AFF), a California-based organisation of commodity boards, major farm groups and individual growers, has been one of the most vocal critics of the EWG's list. They argue that the list is not based on "established scientific procedures" and that the residue levels on conventionally grown produce are so low that they pose no risk to consumers. In addition, the AFF claims that the EWG's list could negatively impact consumption and undermine health initiatives by discouraging people from consuming certain produce items.
Several papers published in peer-reviewed journals have also criticised the EWG's methodology as unsupportable and unscientific. For example, a paper published in the Journal of Toxicology by Dr Carl Winter of the University of California, Davis, found that the Dirty Dozen list is not risk-based and does not follow any established scientific procedures. The paper also stated that consumer exposures to the pesticide residues found on the produce are several orders of magnitude below the levels required to cause any biological effect.
Another criticism of the Dirty Dozen list is that it may disproportionately impact low-income consumers, who may not have access to organic produce. A 2016 consumer survey showed that 15% of lower-income shoppers would opt to eat fewer fruits and vegetables after hearing about the Dirty Dozen list. This is particularly concerning given that only 1 in 10 Americans eat enough fruits and vegetables in their diet.
In conclusion, while the Dirty Dozen list may provide valuable information to consumers about pesticide residues on produce, it has been criticised for lacking scientific methodology and transparency. The list may also have negative consequences for growers and consumers, especially those in lower socioeconomic statuses.
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Frequently asked questions
The Dirty Dozen is a list of fruits and vegetables with the most pesticide residue, compiled by the Environmental Working Group (EWG).
Yes, mushrooms are on the 2024 Dirty Dozen list.
The Clean Fifteen is a list of produce with the least amount of pesticide residue, also compiled by the EWG.
Mushrooms are on the Dirty Dozen list because they are one of the twelve crops that farmers typically use the most pesticides on.
