EWG Flags 12 Produce Picks for Organic Buying as 60% of Clean Fifteen Samples Showed No Residue
Updated
Updated · Organic Authority · Jun 10
EWG Flags 12 Produce Picks for Organic Buying as 60% of Clean Fifteen Samples Showed No Residue
3 articles · Updated · Organic Authority · Jun 10
Summary
EWG’s 2026 summer guidance says shoppers should prioritize organic for thin-skinned fruits on its Dirty Dozen, including nectarines, peaches, cherries, blueberries and blackberries.
More than 90% of nectarines and peaches tested positive for fludioxonil, over 80% of cherries showed PFAS pesticides, and 93% of blackberries carried residues—findings EWG says make berries and stone fruits the highest-value organic swap.
Nearly 60% of Clean Fifteen samples had no detectable pesticide residues, supporting conventional purchases of sweet corn, watermelon and mangoes, whose husks or thick rinds help shield edible flesh.
EWG says washing still matters for conventional produce, especially melons, and recommends rinsing for at least 15 seconds, using a vinegar soak for berries and stone fruits, and favoring domestic cherries during their short U.S. season.
The group again stressed that produce’s health benefits outweigh pesticide risks, framing the lists as a budget guide for where organic spending matters most rather than an argument to avoid fresh fruits and vegetables.