2026 ‘Dirty Dozen’ Reveals Produce With Pesticides and ‘Forever Chemicals’

The 2026 “Dirty Dozen” list has landed with a sharper warning than usual. This year’s report does not only rank fruits and vegetables by pesticide residue; it also highlights the presence of PFAS-linked pesticides, often called “forever chemicals,” on a large share of the most contaminated produce samples.

That does not mean people should stop eating fruits and vegetables. The smarter takeaway is more practical: know which items tend to carry more residues, wash produce properly, and consider organic options where possible for the highest-residue foods. The Environmental Working Group said nearly 75% of non-organic fresh produce tested contained residues of potentially harmful pesticides, while 96% of samples from the Dirty Dozen had pesticide residues.