A new government analysis of over 54,000 produce samples reveals that spinach, strawberries, and apples contain the highest levels of pesticide residue, with some samples showing traces of "forever chemicals" that persist in the environment for decades. The 2026 Shopper's Guide to Pesticides in Produce, released by the Environmental Working Group (EWG), a health advocacy organization, found that children face particular vulnerability to these contaminants, even before birth .

Which Produce Has the Most Pesticide Residue?

The Environmental Working Group examined the most recent pesticide residue tests conducted by the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) on 54,344 samples of 47 different fruits and vegetables to compile this year's findings. Even after the USDA peeled, scrubbed, and thoroughly washed each sample to mimic what consumers do at home, testing detected traces of 264 different pesticides .

The "Dirty Dozen" list identifies the 12 most contaminated produce items based on pesticide residue levels:

• Spinach: Holds the top spot with more pesticide residue by weight than any other produce type and contained an average of four or more different pesticides per sample
• Strawberries: A perennial favorite among children, ranking among the highest for pesticide contamination
• Grapes: Another kid-friendly fruit with significant pesticide residue levels
• Nectarines: Stone fruits showing elevated pesticide presence
• Peaches: Consistently ranking high for pesticide contamination
• Cherries: Summer favorite with notable residue levels
• Apples: Common children's snack with pesticide concerns
• Blackberries: Berries with multiple pesticide residues detected
• Pears: Fruit with average pesticide exposure
• Potatoes: The only item averaging two pesticides instead of four or more
• Blueberries: Popular children's snack with pesticide residue

Samples of every produce type on the Dirty Dozen averaged four or more pesticides, except potatoes, which averaged two. Of the 264 pesticides detected overall, 203 appeared specifically on Dirty Dozen produce .

Why Should Parents Be Concerned About Pesticide Mixtures?

The concern isn't just about individual pesticides, but about exposure to multiple pesticides at once. Experts warn that consuming produce with multiple pesticide residues is concerning because exposure to mixtures of pesticides may accumulate and raise health risks. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) emphasizes that children are especially susceptible to contaminants such as pesticides, even while in the womb .

"Pesticide exposure during pregnancy may lead to an increased risk of birth defects, low birth weight and fetal death. Exposure in childhood has been linked to attention and learning problems, as well as cancer," according to the AAP.

American Academy of Pediatrics

Past studies have potentially linked pesticides to premature births, congenital malformations such as neural tube defects, spontaneous abortions, and an increase in genetic damage in humans. Exposure to pesticides has also been associated with lower sperm concentrations, heart disease, cancer, and other disorders .

What Are "Forever Chemicals" and Why Are They in Produce?

For the first time, the 2026 report found that over 60% of all Dirty Dozen samples contain pesticides that are also "forever chemicals" called PFAS, or perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances. The top three most frequently detected pesticides on produce were these PFAS compounds. PFAS are called forever chemicals because their molecular bonds can take years to decades, even centuries, to completely break down in the environment .

Several PFAS chemicals have been linked to cancer, obesity, thyroid disease, high cholesterol, decreased fertility, liver damage, hormone disruption, and damage to the immune system, according to the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Some of these chemicals can cause harm at levels of a billionth of a gram .

"The PFAS pesticide is the active ingredient in these products because it's effective at killing things, which is the very reason why it's so concerning to public health and the environment at large," explained Bernadette Del Chiaro, senior vice president for California operations at the EWG.

Bernadette Del Chiaro, Senior Vice President for California Operations, Environmental Working Group

Del Chiaro further noted the challenge of targeted application: "Unfortunately, there's no way to contain the harm. We can't just harm the mold spores or insects on a peach and not potentially harm the little kid that eats the peach. The fact that we're intentionally spraying forever chemicals on the produce we're buying at the grocery store is a real eye-opener" .

How to Reduce Your Child's Pesticide Exposure

The good news is that experts stress the solution is not to stop eating fresh produce. Fruits and vegetables are the backbone of a healthy diet. Instead, parents can take strategic steps to reduce pesticide exposure while maintaining nutritional benefits:

• Choose the Clean Fifteen: Select nonorganic produce with the least pesticide residue. This year, nearly 60% of Clean Fifteen samples had no detectable pesticide residues. Pineapple, sweet corn, and avocados topped the list, followed by papaya, onions, frozen sweet peas, asparagus, cabbage, cauliflower, watermelon, mangoes, bananas, carrots, mushrooms, and kiwi
• Buy organic versions of Dirty Dozen items: Choosing organic versions of the 12 most contaminated fruits and vegetables is an excellent way to reduce pesticide exposure. Studies have shown that eating more organic than conventionally grown foods can reduce levels of pesticides in humans
• Look for frozen organic options: Organic options are often available in the freezer section, providing a budget-friendly alternative to fresh organic produce. Even if you can't find organic versions of certain items like blackberries, any washing is better than none
• Eat a diverse range of produce: The key is to eat as many different types of fruits and vegetables as possible to avoid repeated exposure to the same pesticides

The Right Way to Wash Produce

All produce, even organic, should be washed before peeling so dirt and bacteria aren't transferred from a knife onto the fruit or vegetable, according to the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). After washing, dry with a clean cloth or paper towel .

Firm produce such as carrots, cucumbers, melons, and potatoes can be scrubbed with a clean vegetable brush under running water. All other produce can be gently rubbed while being rinsed. There is no need to use bleach, soap, or a produce wash, as fruits and vegetables are porous and can absorb those chemicals .

For leafy greens like cabbage and lettuce, remove the outermost leaves and rinse each leaf carefully, but don't blast your greens with water or you'll bruise them. Experts recommend using low-pressure water that is warmer than your produce and a colander to spin the greens dry. Don't forget to wash the colander afterward. The exception is "triple-washed" bagged greens, which the FDA said do not need an additional wash .

What Do Industry Groups Say About Pesticide Safety?

The Alliance for Food and Farming, which represents organic and conventional produce farmers, has been a long-standing critic of the EWG's annual report. A spokesperson stated that when "farmers use pesticides, they follow the stringent laws and regulations governing pesticide use to provide safe and healthy fruits and vegetables for America's families, including their own." They also noted that "the mere presence of a residue does not automatically mean something is unsafe. The EPA sets limits on pesticide residues that already include huge safety margins to protect infants and children" .

CropLife America, which represents the pesticide industry, told media outlets that EWG's "annual fearmongering campaign promotes distrust in our food system and the tools farmers use to protect their crops against weeds, pests, and diseases." The group stated that "over 99% of tested produce falls well below the Environmental Protection Agency's gold-standard safety limits" .

Despite industry reassurances, the presence of forever chemicals in over 60% of Dirty Dozen samples represents a new concern not previously highlighted in earlier reports, suggesting that pesticide formulations and their environmental persistence warrant ongoing parental awareness and informed purchasing decisions.