2026 ‘Dirty Dozen’ produce: Nearly 100% tested positive for pesticides, including ‘forever chemicals,’ experts say

Key Points:

• The 2026 Shopper’s Guide to Pesticides in Produce by the Environmental Working Group (EWG) identifies spinach, strawberries, and grapes as having the highest levels of pesticide residues, with spinach topping the list for the most pesticide residue by weight.
• The report highlights that many fruits and vegetables, including nectarines, peaches, cherries, and potatoes, contain multiple pesticide residues, raising concerns about cumulative exposure risks, especially for children and pregnant women.
• For the first time, over 60% of the "Dirty Dozen" produce samples contained pesticides classified as PFAS, or "forever chemicals," which are linked to serious health issues such as cancer and hormone disruption due to their persistence in the environment.
• The pesticide industry disputes the report's findings, emphasizing that pesticide residues detected are well below EPA safety limits, while EWG recommends reducing exposure by choosing organic options for the most contaminated produce or selecting items from the "Clean Fifteen" list.
• Experts advise consumers to continue eating a variety of fruits and vegetables for health benefits, wash all produce thoroughly before consumption, and consider buying organic or less contaminated produce to minimize pesticide intake.