The Clean 15 is an annual list of the 15 fruits and vegetables with the lowest pesticide residues, published by the Environmental Working Group (EWG). The list is designed as a shopping tool: if you’re buying conventional (non-organic) produce, these are the items least likely to carry significant pesticide contamination. Nearly 60 percent of Clean 15 samples have no detectable pesticide residues at all, and only 16 percent show residues of two or more pesticides.
What’s on the Clean 15
The EWG updates the list each year based on new testing data. Items that consistently appear on the Clean 15 include avocados, pineapples, onions, mushrooms, papayas, bananas, and cauliflower. Many of these share a common trait: they have thick skins or outer layers that are peeled or removed before eating, which naturally reduces the amount of pesticide residue you’d actually consume.
The full list of 15 shifts slightly from year to year as new rounds of testing data become available. The USDA’s Pesticide Data Program tests tens of thousands of produce samples annually for more than 250 different pesticides, and the EWG uses that government data to build its rankings.
How the Rankings Are Determined
Starting in 2025, the EWG refined its methodology to score each type of produce on four factors. The first is abundance: what percentage of samples had at least one pesticide detected. The second is diversity: how many different pesticides showed up on a single sample on average. The third is intensity: the average total concentration of pesticides found. The fourth is toxicity, which compares detected pesticide levels against established safety thresholds to estimate potential harm.
Each factor is scored on a scale of 1 to 100, then the four scores are added together for a total out of 400. Lower scores land a fruit or vegetable on the Clean 15, while higher scores push items toward the Dirty Dozen. When two items tie, the one with higher overall toxicity gets the worse ranking.
Clean 15 vs. the Dirty Dozen
The Dirty Dozen is the opposite end of the spectrum: the 12 fruits and vegetables with the highest pesticide contamination. The contrast between the two lists is stark. Pesticides were found on 96 percent of Dirty Dozen samples, with most types averaging four or more different pesticides per individual sample. Clean 15 items, by comparison, are far more likely to test completely clean.
Roughly 75 percent of all non-organic fresh produce sold in the U.S. contains residues of potentially harmful pesticides. The Clean 15 represents the fraction of conventional produce that bucks that trend, giving budget-conscious shoppers a way to prioritize where organic spending matters most.
Why Some Produce Tests Cleaner
Several factors explain why certain items consistently rank low for pesticide residues. Thick, inedible peels on avocados, pineapples, bananas, and papayas act as a physical barrier. Farmers may also use fewer pesticides on crops that are naturally more resistant to pests, or the growing conditions (like indoor mushroom cultivation) reduce the need for chemical treatments in the first place.
Items like onions and cauliflower also tend to have structural characteristics, such as tightly layered skins or dense floret structures, that either limit pesticide absorption or lose outer residues during normal preparation.
How to Use the List When Shopping
The practical takeaway is straightforward. If your grocery budget doesn’t allow for an all-organic cart, the Clean 15 tells you where conventional options are a reasonable choice. You can redirect your organic spending toward Dirty Dozen items like strawberries, spinach, and blueberries, where pesticide loads are consistently higher.
Even with Clean 15 items, basic washing helps. The FDA recommends rinsing all produce under plain running water before eating or cutting, even items you plan to peel. Dirt and bacteria on the outer surface can transfer to the flesh via your knife. Gently rub produce while rinsing, use a vegetable brush on firm-skinned items, and dry with a clean towel. Soap and commercial produce washes aren’t necessary.
One important note: the Clean 15 is not a statement that these items are pesticide-free. It means their residue levels are consistently among the lowest of all produce tested. For people who want to minimize pesticide exposure without paying a premium on every item in their cart, the list is a practical way to split the difference.