Clean 15 and Dirty Dozen

If you would like to reduce your exposure to pesticide residues but don't necessarily want to buy all of your fruit and vegetables organically, you may have come across the Clean Fifteen and Dirty Dozen.

These two lists are published annually by the US-based Environmental Working Group (EWG) and rank fruits and vegetables according to pesticide residues detected through testing of produce in the United States. Note: the above list pictured is based on the EWG’s 2024 list.

The Dirty Dozen identifies 12 types of produce that rank highest in the EWG's analysis of pesticide residues, while the Clean Fifteen identifies 15 types of produce that rank lowest.

For people trying to decide where to prioritise their organic food budget, the lists provide a simple and easy-to-remember shopping guide.

What About Australia?

It is important to understand that the Clean Fifteen and Dirty Dozen are based on US pesticide-residue testing, so they don't necessarily reflect the residues found on produce grown and sold in Australia.

Australia does not currently have a directly equivalent consumer-friendly ranking of individual fruits and vegetables but Australian produce is monitored for pesticide residues through government programs including the Australian Total Diet Study and National Residue Survey. I still find the Clean Fifteen and Dirty Dozen a useful concept for thinking about produce choices, particularly for people who would like to buy more organic food but don't necessarily want to purchase everything organically.

The Dirty Dozen

The Dirty Dozen refers to the 12 fruits and vegetables that rank highest for pesticide residues in the EWG's analysis.

The exact list changes from year to year, but produce such as strawberries, spinach, grapes and apples frequently appears on the list.

For people wishing to minimise pesticide residues, the EWG recommends choosing organic versions of foods on the Dirty Dozen where practical.

The Clean Fifteen

The Clean Fifteen identifies 15 types of produce that rank lowest for pesticide residues according to the EWG's analysis.

Foods such as avocados, pineapple, onions, asparagus and sweet corn have appeared on the list.

If you are using the EWG rankings as a shopping guide, these may be lower-priority foods to purchase organically, which can be helpful if you are trying to balance food choices with your household budget.

What About Genetically Modified Foods?

It is worth remembering that the Clean Fifteen ranking relates specifically to pesticide residues. It doesn't tell us whether a food has been genetically modified.

The EWG notes that some produce on its US lists, including some sweet corn, may be grown from genetically modified seedstock. This is another area where the US list cannot necessarily be applied directly to Australian produce, as the availability and labelling of genetically modified foods differs between the two countries.

If avoiding genetically modified foods is important to you, check Australian food labelling and consider the origin of the food rather than relying on the Clean Fifteen ranking for this information.

Keeping It Simple

You don't need to make food shopping complicated.

If buying everything organically isn't practical or affordable, the Clean Fifteen and Dirty Dozen can be used as a simple framework for deciding where you would personally prefer to prioritise organic produce. Just remember that these are US-based rankings rather than an Australian rankings, and Australian pesticide monitoring does not currently provide an equivalent fruit-and-vegetable ranking, but you may wish to use the US list as a general guide.

The complete Clean 15 and Dirty Dozen list can be found in the image at the top of the page.