2026 ‘Dirty Dozen’ Reveals Produce With Pesticides and ‘Forever Chemicals’
Discover the Dirty Dozen list highlighting pesticide residues and PFAS contamination in fruits and vegetables.
Strawberries Stayed Near the Top
Spinach Was Heavily Contaminated
Kale, Collard and Mustard Greens Remained a Concern
Grapes Were Also on the List
Peaches and Nectarines Raised PFAS Questions
Cherries and Apples Stayed in the High-Residue Group
Blackberries and Pears Joined the Middle of the List
Potatoes Were the Only Vegetable With Lower Average Variety
Blueberries Joined the 2026 Dirty Dozen
The Clean Fifteen Offers a Practical Counterpoint
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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.