The Dirty Dozen

What is the “Dirty Dozen”?.

In 2021, the Environmental Working Group in the United States released its annually updated report that identified foods in the conventional, non-organic food supply that contained the highest number of pesticide residues. The worst offenders, since this list was first put together, have been known as the “dirty dozen” and include:

• Apples
• Capsicum & Chilli
• Celery
• Cherries
• Grapes
• Kale
• Nectarines
• Peaches
• Pears
• Spinach
• Strawberries
• Tomatoes

These are presented in descending order in terms of pesticide residue frequency. The top food contains pesticide residues on the most frequent basis, and the next food down contains pesticide residues at the second highest frequency, and so on. Since these foods are so likely to be contaminated when purchased commercially, it is important to either buy them or grow them organically.

Dirty Dozen” foods that grow well in the DMV:

• Capsicum & Chilli
• Celery
• Grapes
• Kale
• Spinach
• Strawberries
• Tomatoes

Unfortunately the stone fruits are very difficult to grow in our region and I recommend that most gardners turn their focus to those foods that are the most manageable.

Click here for growing guides for each of these items. (COMING SOON)