image showing which fruits and vegetables may have pesticide residue

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The clean 15 and the dirty dozen

You try to eat healthy, but organic fruits and vegetables can be pricey. Will paying that extra cash for organic produce really benefit you? And, how do you know what kinds of food may have been exposed to harmful pesticides or contaminants?

Each year since 2004, the Environmental Working Group (EWG) has published the Shopper's Guide to Pesticides in Produce™. Updated yearly, it lists pesticide contamination for 48 popular fruits and vegetables as tested by the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the Food and Drug Administration. 

For 2016, the Guide lists "The Clean 15," those fruits and vegetables found to have the least risk, as well as "The Dirty Dozen," those food items found to have the most risk of contamination.

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The Clean 15 and the Dirty Dozen

Are organics really worth it?
Learn about The Clean 15 and The Dirty Dozen to help you decide

[Illustrations of each fruit and veggie listed]

The clean 15
Less need to buy organic as these fruits and veggies were found to have the least risk of pesticide contamination

Avocados
Sweet corn
Pineapple
Cabbage
Sweet peas – frozen
Onions
Asparagus
Mangoes
Papayas
Kiwi
Eggplant
Honeydew
Grapefruit
Cantaloupe
Cauliflower

The Dirty Dozen
Consider buying organic as these fruits and veggies were found to have the most risk of contamination

Strawberries
Apples
Nectarines
Peaches
Celery
Grapes
Cherries
Spinach
Tomatoes
Sweet bell peppers
Cherry tomatoes
Cucumbers

Source: Copyright Environmental Working Group, www.ewg.org. Reproduced with permission.

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