You have probably heard of the Dirty Dozen food list, but did you know that this list is updated each year? If you want to be more conscious about the foods you put into your body or have concerns about pesticide contamination, here’s what you need to know before heading to the grocery store so you can make more informed choices:
Pesticides on Produce: What is the Dirty Dozen List?
The Environmental Working Group, or the EWG, releases a Shopper’s Guide to Pesticides in Produce each year. The Dirty Dozen food list identifies fruits and vegetables with the highest amount of pesticide residues, and the Clean Fifteen™ list names the top foods with the least amount of pesticide residues.
So why does it matter? Pesticides and fungicides can interfere with many aspects of human health, such as hormone and endocrine function, and the toxic buildup can wreak havoc on your liver and the body’s ability to detox. Long-term exposure to these toxins can even contribute to chronic conditions and lead to neurological disorders and cancer.
2025’s Dirty Dozen Food List: Fruits & Veggies to Watch Out For
The most consumed produce on the Dirty Dozen list? Berries, grapes, apples, and peaches, and perhaps most surprisingly at #1 with the most pesticides by weight–spinach! Another common question is, are potatoes on the dirty dozen list? Unfortunately, the most consumed vegetable in the U.S. has joined this year’s Dirty Dozen food list. Here’s the complete breakdown of the Dirty Dozen list of foods:
- Spinach
- Strawberries
- Kale, collard, and mustard greens
- Grapes
- Peaches
- Cherries
- Nectarines
- Pears
- Apples
- Blackberries
- Blueberries
- Potatoes
Functional Medicine’s Perspective on the Dirty Dozen
So what’s the answer? Is it feasible to avoid foods on the Dirty Dozen list completely? It’s not–the goal of this list isn’t to discourage you from eating fresh produce, but rather to make informed shopping decisions. Even organic produce isn’t always pesticide-free, which is why washing your produce is so important. Even though this won’t get rid of all pesticide residue, it’s a critical step you should never skip after a trip to the grocery store or farmer’s market!
Tips for Washing Produce on the Dirty Dozen List
- Hold produce under cool running water or rinse using a strainer (more effective than simply dunking produce in water).
- If you do choose to soak produce, use a solution of 2 tsp. baking soda per quart of water, and only let soak for a few minutes to avoid mushing.
- Scrub firm produce using a clean brush (think potatoes, melons, squash, apples, pears, cucumbers, etc.)
- Gently rub berries, grapes, and other fragile produce to help remove residues.
- Wash your hands thoroughly with warm water and soap before and after handling any produce.
But there’s more you can do beyond shopping smarter for produce and using the tips above for washing your fruits and vegetables. Functional medicine also supports the use of targeted supplements with high-quality, powerful nutrients that can help your body flush out toxins and enhance the natural detoxification process. Two of our top recommendations are NAC Power, which supports the #1 detox molecule, and Min Power, which features a critical mineral to help detoxify the liver.
Purchase these products on our website, and don’t hesitate to reach out if you have any questions or would like more information about pesticides and the Dirty Dozen list!
