The Dirty Dozen

The Dirty Dozen refers to a list of twelve food items that are often found to have higher pesticide residues, making them less safe to consume if not washed or peeled. Common items on this list include strawberries, spinach, and apples. In contrast, there’s a complementary list called the Clean Fifteen, which includes foods generally low in pesticide residues. This concept helps consumers make informed choices about their produce, promoting better health and safer eating practices by encouraging the consumption of organic or well-washed versions of these riskier items.