Top 15 Least Contaminated Fruits, Vegetables

April 21, 2011 — -- When it comes to fruits and vegetables, do you know which ones are safe to eat and which ones should be purchased organic because of heavy pesticides?

The Environmental Working Group has done the work for you by compiling a list of the Top 12 most contaminated fruits and vegetables, called the "Dirty Dozen," and the Top 15 least contaminated, or the "Clean 15."

According to EWG, people who eat five fruits and vegetables a day from the Dirty Dozen list consume an average of 10 pesticides a day.

EWG analysts developed this "Guide to Pesticides" based on data from nearly 89,000 tests for pesticide residues in produce conducted from 2000-08 and collected by the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

'Dirty Dozen'

1. Celery
2. Peaches
3. Strawberries
4. Apples
5. Blueberries
6. Nectarines
7. Bell peppers
8. Spinach
9. Cherries
10. Kale/Collard greens
11. Potatoes
12. Grapes (imported)

'Clean 15'

1. Onions
2. Avocado
3. Sweet corn
4. Pineapple
5. Mangoes
6. Sweet peas
7. Asparagus
8. Kiwi
9. Cabbage
10. Eggplant
11. Cantaloupe
12. Watermelon
13. Grapefruit
14. Sweet potato
15. Honeydew melon

The EWG has a complete list of fruits and vegetables tested at its website.