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EWG Finds PFAS in Over 60% of Dirty Dozen Produce Samples in 2026 Report
EWG's 2026 Shopper's Guide found over 60% of Dirty Dozen samples contain PFAS pesticides linked to health risks, based on nearly 55,000 USDA-tested produce samples.
- On Tuesday, the Environmental Working Group released its 2026 Shopper's Guide, finding PFAS 'forever chemicals' in over 60% of samples on its 'Dirty Dozen' list of most contaminated produce.
- The report analyzed 54,344 U.S. Department of Agriculture pesticide-residue samples across 47 produce types, with spinach ranking highest by residue weight and averaging four or more different pesticides per sample.
- CropLife America, representing the pesticide industry, called the report 'fearmongering' and countered that over 99% of tested produce falls below Environmental Protection Agency safety limits, defending current farming practices.
- Health experts link PFAS to cancer, immune damage, and other illnesses, prompting the EWG to recommend consumers buy organic versions of Dirty Dozen items or choose Clean Fifteen produce instead.
- Despite chemical risks, the EWG stressed that maintaining a diet rich in fruits and vegetables remains essential for health, while calling for further research into PFAS exposure and regulatory action.
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87 Articles
Black America Web
2026 ‘Dirty Dozen’ Report: Nearly 100% of Produce Tested Positive for Pesticides, Including ‘Forever Chemicals’
Source: Albany Times Union/Hearst Newspapers / Getty 2026 ‘Dirty Dozen’ Report: Nearly 100% of Produce Tested Positive for Pesticides, Including ‘Forever Chemicals’ The Environmental Working Group (EWG) has released its 2026 Shopper’s Guide to Pesticides in Produce, revealing alarming levels of pesticide contamination in non-organic fruits and vegetables. For the first time, the report highlights the presence of “forever chemicals,” or PFAS, in …
Meet 2026's "Dirty Dozen," the produce with the most pesticides
In anticipation of salad season, the Environmental Working Group (EWG) has released its annual list of the top fruits and vegetables that are heavily contaminated by pesticides, infamously known as the “Dirty Dozen.” The 2026 picks are commonly consumed favorites, including strawberries, grapes, nectarines, peaches, cherries, apples, blackberries, pears and blueberries. Fruit makes up more than half of the filthy bunch, according to a report re…
Spinach, Apples, and More Land on This Year's Dirty Dozen List—Should You Worry?
Fact checked by Nick BlackmerSpinach landed at the top of the Dirty Dozen list for 2026.Credit: Minh Hoang Cong / Getty ImagesThe EWG recently released its 2026 “Dirty Dozen” list, ranking produce with the highest pesticide residues.Experts say the list can offer context but isn’t a reason to avoid those foods.Eating plenty of fruits and vegetables matters more than worrying about pesticide risks.The Environmental Working Group (EWG) has release…
New report reveals 'dirty dozen' produce with highest levels of hazardous contaminant
Fresh fruit and vegetables are a cornerstone of a healthy diet — but some produce has higher levels of harmful chemical pesticides than other varieties, CNN reported. What's happening? On Tuesday, the Environmental Working Group issued a press release announcing the release of its 2026 Shopper's Guide to Pesticides in Produce. The EWG began publishing the annual report in 2004, with a goal of encouraging the consumption of fruits and vegetable…
The Billings Gazette
Leafy greens top 'Dirty Dozen' list of fruits and veggies with pesticides residues
For the first time, the report found over 60% of all Dirty Dozen samples contain pesticides that are also “forever chemicals” called PFAS.
Krem2 News
Spinach tops list for produce with highest pesticide contamination levels, report shows
Spinach topped this year's "Dirty Dozen" list, which ranks produce based on test results for pesticide contamination. See the full list:
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