The Dirty Dozen Of Fruits and Vegetables for 2024

The “Dirty Dozen” for 2024 according to the Environmental Working Group (EWG) lists the fruits and vegetables with the highest levels of pesticide residues:

Strawberries
Spinach
Kale, collard, and mustard greens
Grapes
Peaches
Pears
Nectarines
Apples
Bell and hot peppers
Cherries
Blueberries
Green beans

Insidershealth Tip:5 ways you can reduce your exposure to pesticides in fruits and vegetable:

Buy Organic: Organic foods are grown without synthetic pesticides and may have lower pesticide residues.
Wash Your Produce: Scrub your produce with a brush and using a mild soap or baking soda to remove chemicals on the surface of produce and rinse under warm water
Peel Fruits and Vegetables: Peeling reduces pesticides…yet also removes some of the best nutrients that are pfresent in the skins
Diversify Your Diet: Eat a variety of fruits and vegetables to minimize your risk of exposure but still wash them carefully
Grow Your Own Produce: Grow your own fruits and vegetables so you have complete control over the use of chemicals in your garden.