When it comes to eating healthy, most people turn to fruits and vegetables to get their needed nutrients in their diet.

While this is a great way to stay healthy and keep your body in great shape, it is important to keep in mind the potential contaminants on these products.

Environmental issues and poor farming practices can contaminate fruits and vegetables with pesticides, chemicals, and other harmful substances.

As a result, it is essential to understand the most contaminated fruits and vegetables of 2022 to ensure that you are consuming healthy products.

1. Strawberries

Strawberries are a favorite fruit among many people, but they can be very contaminated by pesticides. According to the Environmental Working Group (EWG)’s 2022 Dirty Dozen list, strawberries are the most contaminated fruit.

2. Spinach

Spinach is a great source of iron and vitamins but ranks second on the Dirty Dozen list due to high levels of pesticides. This leafy green is very porous, and it can absorb more pesticides than other vegetables.

3. Kale

Kale, a superfood that is often revered for its nutrient density, comes in third on the Dirty Dozen list due to high contamination levels of pesticides.

Despite being a healthy food choice, it is essential to choose organically grown kale to avoid pesticide contamination.

4. Nectarines

Nectarines are delicious, but they are notorious for their high levels of pesticide residue. In 2022, nectarines come in fourth on the Dirty Dozen list.

5. Apples

Apples are widely consumed fruit around the world but are often contaminated with harmful pesticides. Apples rank fifth on the Dirty Dozen list of most contaminated fruits and vegetables.

6. Grapes

Grapes are another fruit that can be heavily contaminated by pesticides, which is why they come in sixth on the Dirty Dozen list. Choose organic grapes whenever possible to reduce your exposure to harmful pesticides.

7. Peaches

Peaches are notoriously difficult to grow without using pesticides, making them the seventh most contaminated fruit on the Dirty Dozen list. If you prefer peaches, it is essential to buy organic to reduce exposure to pesticides.

8. Cherries

Cherries are delicious, but they can be heavily contaminated with pesticides, earning them the eighth spot on the Dirty Dozen list. Organic cherries are a good choice to avoid harmful pesticide exposure.

9. Pears

Next on the Dirty Dozen list is pears, which are often sprayed with high levels of pesticides. Look for organically grown pears if you want to reduce your pesticide exposure.

10. Tomatoes

Tomatoes are a staple in many households around the world, but they are often contaminated with pesticides. The EWG’s 2022 Dirty Dozen list places tomatoes at the 10th most contaminated fruit or vegetable.

11. Celery

Celery is often grown using powerful pesticides, making it the eleventh most contaminated vegetable. Choose organic celery whenever possible, or choose an alternative vegetable variety if it is not feasible.

12. Bell Peppers

Bell peppers are another vegetable that can be very contaminated with pesticide residues. According to the EWG’s 2022 Dirty Dozen list, bell peppers rank 12th.

13. Hot Peppers

Hot peppers, like their bell pepper cousins, are often heavily contaminated with pesticides, earning them the 13th position on the Dirty Dozen list. Reduce your exposure by choosing organically grown hot peppers whenever possible.

14. Potatoes

Potatoes are often treated with high levels of toxic pesticides, making them the 14th most contaminated vegetable on the Dirty Dozen list. Choose organic potatoes to avoid any pesticide contamination.

15. Cucumbers

Cucumbers are delicious and healthy, but they can be heavily contaminated with pesticides. According to the Environmental Working Group’s Dirty Dozen list, cucumbers are the 15th most contaminated vegetable.

16. Raspberries

Raspberries are often sprayed with powerful pesticides, earning them the 16th spot on the Dirty Dozen list. To reduce pesticide exposure, choose organic raspberries whenever possible.

17. Blueberries

Another popular fruit, blueberries, can be very contaminated by pesticides. The EWG’s 2022 Dirty Dozen list ranks blueberries as the 17th most contaminated fruit or vegetable.

18. Lettuce

Lettuce is often contaminated by harmful pesticides, earning it the 18th spot on the Dirty Dozen list. Choose organic lettuce or another dark green leafy vegetable if possible.

19. Collard Greens

Collard greens are another leafy green that can be heavily contaminated by pesticides. The EWG lists collard greens at the 19th most contaminated vegetable.

20. Green Beans

Green beans are a delicious and healthy vegetable, but they can be heavily contaminated with pesticides. According to the EWG’s 2022 Dirty Dozen list, green beans rank 20th.

21. Snap Peas

Snap peas are another vegetable that can be heavily contaminated by pesticides, earning them the 21st position on the Dirty Dozen list. Choose organically grown snap peas whenever possible.

22. Carrots

Carrots are a staple in many households, but they can still be heavily contaminated by pesticides. According to the EWG’s 2022 Dirty Dozen list, carrots come in 22nd on the list.

23. Oranges

While oranges do not appear until the 23rd position on the Dirty Dozen list, they are still heavily contaminated by pesticides. Choose organic oranges to avoid pesticide exposure.

24. Peas

Peas are a staple of many American diets, but they can be heavily contaminated by pesticides. The EWG lists peas as the 24th most contaminated vegetable on the Dirty Dozen list.

25. Broccoli

Broccoli is an excellent source of nutrients, but it can be heavily contaminated by pesticides. Choose organic broccoli or another nutrient-dense vegetable to avoid pesticide residue.

26. Zucchini

Zucchini is a popular vegetable that can be heavily contaminated by pesticides, ranking 26th on the Dirty Dozen list. Opt for organic zucchini or another type of squash to avoid pesticide contamination.

27. Summer Squash

Summer squash is another popular vegetable that can be heavily contaminated by pesticides. The EWG ranks summer squash as the 27th most contaminated vegetable on the Dirty Dozen list.

28. Cranberries

Cranberries can be very contaminated by pesticides, earning them the 28th position on the Dirty Dozen list. Choose organic cranberries or another fruit to avoid pesticide exposure.

29. Avocado

Although avocados do not require pesticides in vast quantities, they are often grown using synthetic chemicals. According to the EWG’s 2022 Dirty Dozen list, avocados rank 29th in terms of pesticide contamination.

30. Sweet Potatoes

Sweet potatoes are more likely to be heavily contaminated with pesticides, ranking them last on the Dirty Dozen list. Choose organic sweet potatoes to avoid harmful pesticide exposure.