The Environmental Working Group (EWG) of the United States released the latest ranking of "EWG's 2025 Shopper's Guide to Pesticides in Produce" on June 11 this year, listing the "dirtiest" and "cleanest" lists respectively.

The organization evaluated the test data of 47 kinds of fruits and vegetables by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). A total of 53,692 samples were taken for testing.

265 kinds of pesticides were still detected after the samples were peeled, scrubbed, and washed before the test.

The authorities listed the 12 fruits and vegetables with the most pesticide residues as the "Dirty Dozen". Pesticide residues were found in 96 percent of the samples, and a total of 203 pesticides were detected. Except for cherries, the remaining agricultural product samples detected more than 50 pesticides, and almost all single samples detected an average of four or more pesticides.

Given the body among the fruits and vegetables ingested too much pesticide, the indicator explained they may lead to a variety of health hazards, including increasing the risk of cancer and infertility.

The 12 most pesticide-containing fruits and vegetables (Dirty Dozen)

No. 12: Potatoes

No. 11: Blueberries

No. 10: Blackberries

No. 9: Apples

No. 8: Pears

No. 7: Peach Plums

No. 6: Cherries

No. 5: Peaches

No. 4: Grapes

No. 3: Kale, kale and mustard

No. 2: Strawberries

No. 1: Spinach

Two types of fruits and vegetables with more pesticides (Plus)

Bell peppers and hot peppers
French beans

Among the “cleanest” test, EWG discovered almost 60 percent of the fruit and vegetable samples on the list had no detected pesticide residues, and only 16 percent contained residues of two or more pesticides.

The 15 cleanest fruits and vegetables (Clean Fifteen)

No. 15: Kiwi fruit

No. 14: Mushroom

No. 13: Carrot

No. 12: Mango

No. 11: Banana

No. 10: Cauliflower

No. 9: Watermelon

No. 8: Cabbage

No. 7: Asparagus

No. 6: Green beans (frozen)

No. 5: Onion

No. 4: Papaya

No. 3: Avocado

No. 2: Sweet corn (fresh and frozen)

No. 1: Pineapple

Pesticide residues in fruits and vegetables can cause cancer or infertility

Studies have found that eating fruits and vegetables with high pesticide residues may reduce the protective effect of cardiovascular disease and death commonly associated with fruits and vegetables.

Meanwhile, another study discovered that there was a certain linkage between eating produce with low pesticide residues and improved sperm quality.

Animal studies have also shown that exposure to a mixture of pesticides is more toxic than a single pesticide. A large-scale population study conducted in France from 2014 to 2020 found that certain pesticide mixtures were associated with an increased risk of breast cancer and type two diabetes.

In addition, Fungicides such as pyrimidine and fluphenazine are believed to be associated with hormonal disorders. A recent human study also expressed that pyrethroids such as permethrin and cypermethrin can cause damage to the developing nervous system.

How to remove pesticide residues from fruits and vegetables?

EWG said all types of agricultural products should be washed at home before eating and was believed to reduce pesticide residues, dirt and potentially harmful bacteria. Although washing cannot completely remove pesticides, data showed the pesticide content of unwashed agricultural products is higher than that of washed ones.

Nutritionist Cheng Han-yu pointed out that soaking in clean water and rinsing fruits and vegetables under running tap water for 15 minutes can remove 77 percent of water-soluble pesticide residues.

The force of running water can also wash away bacteria and pesticides on the surface of fruits and vegetables, as well as dirt in the gaps, while it may prolong the decomposition time of pesticides and even increase the risk of contamination of fruits and vegetables if salt or baking soda were added.

According to the Hong Kong Food Safety Center, it is recommended that vegetables and fruits be thoroughly rinsed under running water. Given an example of melons, it can be scrubbed with a clean brush to remove dirt and contaminants between the surface and gaps.

As for soaking vegetables, although some studies have shown that this helps reduce pesticide residues, the nutrients in the vegetables may be lost during the process. In the first quarter of 2017, the Food Safety Center no longer recommended soaking vegetables nor did it use soap, formula detergents or produce cleaners to wash fruits and vegetables.

12 'dirtiest' fruits and vegetables may cause cancer and infertility