2026 Dirty Dozen: Spinach Leads Produce Packed with Pesticides, EWG Reports

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Leafy Greens and Berries Top the Contamination List (Image Credits: Pexels)

The Environmental Working Group unveiled its 2026 Shopper’s Guide to Pesticides in Produce this week, analyzing over 54,000 samples from the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Spinach emerged as the most contaminated item, with residues surpassing all others by weight. The report also spotlights so-called “forever chemicals” in many popular fruits and vegetables, urging shoppers to prioritize organic options for certain staples.[1][2]

Leafy Greens and Berries Top the Contamination List

Spinach claimed the number one spot on the Dirty Dozen, the group’s ranking of produce with the highest pesticide residues. More than 96 percent of samples from these 12 items tested positive for pesticides, with an average of four or more distinct chemicals per sample. The Environmental Working Group detected 203 different pesticides across the Dirty Dozen alone.[1]

Kale, collard and mustard greens followed closely, with over half of kale samples carrying a potentially cancer-linked pesticide. Strawberries, grapes, nectarines and peaches rounded out the upper ranks. Cherries, apples, blackberries, pears, potatoes and blueberries completed the list. Potatoes, America’s most consumed vegetable, joined for the first time with 90 percent containing a sprout inhibitor banned in Europe.[2]

• 1. Spinach
• 2. Kale, collard and mustard greens
• 3. Strawberries
• 4. Grapes
• 5. Nectarines
• 6. Peaches
• 7. Cherries
• 8. Apples
• 9. Blackberries
• 10. Pears
• 11. Potatoes
• 12. Blueberries

PFAS “Forever Chemicals” Raise New Alarms

For the first time, the guide highlighted per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, or PFAS pesticides, on 63 percent of Dirty Dozen samples. Fludioxonil, a PFAS fungicide, ranked as the most frequently detected pesticide overall, appearing in 14 percent of all produce tested. These persistent chemicals resist breakdown in the environment and may pose reproductive and developmental risks, according to early studies.[1]

“Consumers have a right to know what’s on their food,” said EWG Science Analyst Varun Subramaniam. “This year’s findings underscore the presence of PFAS pesticides in the food supply.” The report analyzed data from 54,344 samples across 47 types of produce, uncovering 264 pesticides and their breakdown products in total. Nearly 75 percent of conventional produce carried some residue.[1]

Clean Fifteen Offers Safer Conventional Choices

On the brighter side, the Clean Fifteen list identifies 15 produce items with the lowest pesticide levels. Nearly 60 percent of these samples showed no detectable residues, and only 16 percent had two or more pesticides. Pineapple, sweet corn and avocados led the group, providing nutritious options without high contamination risks.[3]

Shoppers can confidently choose conventional versions of these items to stretch their budgets. The full ranking places them at the top of EWG’s analysis, far removed from the Dirty Dozen’s concerns.

1. Pineapples
2. Sweet corn (fresh and frozen)
3. Avocados
4. Papaya
5. Onions
6. Sweet peas (frozen)
7. Asparagus
8. Cabbage
9. Cauliflower
10. Watermelon
11. Mangoes
12. Bananas
13. Carrots
14. Mushrooms
15. Kiwi

How the Rankings Were Determined

EWG refined its methodology this year to weigh not just the quantity of residues but also their toxicity. The group drew from the latest USDA testing data, published annually since 1992. This approach helps prioritize produce where residues pose the greatest potential health concerns, especially for children.[1]

“A diet rich in fruits and vegetables is essential,” noted EWG Associate Scientist Dayna de Montagnac. “The Shopper’s Guide empowers families to continue enjoying these significant health benefits while making informed choices.” For complete details, visit EWG’s Shopper’s Guide.[4]

Families can use this guide to balance nutrition and caution in grocery aisles. Prioritizing organic for high-risk produce while embracing low-residue staples keeps healthy eating accessible. What changes will you make to your shopping list? Tell us in the comments.