Every year the Environmental Working Group releases two lists: one of the “Clean 15,” those fruits and vegetables that carry the least possibly pesticide load. And the other, “the Dirty Dozen,” of those fruits and vegetables that have the most residual pesticides. Might be worth growing some from that second list for yourself.

The Clean Fifteen
1. Onions
2. Corn
3. Pineapples
4. Avocados
5. Cabbage
6. Frozen Peas
7. Papayas
8. Mangoes
9. Asparagus
10. Eggplant
11. Kiwi
12. Grapefruit
13. Cantaloupe
14. Sweet Potatoes
15. Mushrooms

The Dirty Dozen
1. Apples
2. Strawberries
3. Grapes
4. Celery
5. Peaches
6. Spinach
7. Sweet bell peppers
8. Imported nectarines
9. Cucumbers
10. Potatoes
11. Cherry Tomatoes
12. Hot Peppers.

Did you know?
There is a $10,000 fine per item for knowingly selling a nonorganic product labeled with a USDA organic seal?