The Most Consumed Veggie In The U.S. Contains Pesticides Banned In The EU
Delish • • business
Key Points:
- The Environmental Working Group (EWG) released its 2026 Dirty Dozen list identifying the 12 fruits and vegetables with the highest pesticide contamination, with spinach remaining the most pesticide-laden vegetable in the U.S.
- USDA data shows over 75% of non-organic spinach contains permethrin, a neurotoxic insecticide banned in the EU, linked to serious health risks including tremors, seizures, and potential ADHD in children.
- Potatoes, the most consumed vegetable in the U.S., rose to 11th on the Dirty Dozen list, with 90% of tested samples containing chlorpropham, an herbicide banned in the EU due to concerns about thyroid and hormone disruption.
- The health effects of chlorpropham on humans are not fully understood, but animal studies indicate potential harm, and it is frequently detected in human urine samples in EU studies prior to its ban.
- The rest of the Dirty Dozen list remains unchanged from the previous year, highlighting ongoing concerns about pesticide contamination in commonly consumed produce.
