For the second consecutive year, strawberries topped all other fruits and vegetables for the dubious honor of pesticide residues, CNN reported.
Data on 36,000 samples analyzed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the FDA showed 20 different pesticides associated with strawberries. Spinach jumped from eighth last year to second, having the most pesticide residue by weight. The rest of the "Dirty Dozen" consisted of nectarines, apples, peaches, celery, grapes, pears, cherries, tomatoes, sweet bell peppers, and potatoes.
The "Clean Fifteen" list of produce with the lowest amount of pesticide residues comprised sweet corn, avocados, pineapples, cabbage, onions, frozen sweet peas, papaya, asparagus, mangoes, eggplant, honeydew melon, kiwis, cantaloupe, cauliflower, and grapefruit. The lists were included in the Environmental Working Group annual report, which showed that 70% of samples of 48 different fruits and vegetables were contaminated by pesticide residues.