Are Beets Heavily Sprayed with Pesticides? The Surprising Low-Risk Answer

November 26, 2025 •

4 min read

According to reports from consumer advocacy organizations and agricultural studies, beets are consistently shown to be a low-pesticide residue vegetable. This is often surprising to those who worry about which produce items are heavily sprayed with pesticides, but the root vegetable's natural defenses and growing method offer a high degree of protection.

Quick Summary

Beets are not considered a high-pesticide risk item due to their thick peel and subterranean growth. Residue levels on finished conventional beets are low, and they are frequently featured on 'Clean Fifteen' lists. Opting for organic is always an option, but conventional beets are generally a safe choice.

Key Points

Low Residue: Beets are not considered a high-pesticide produce item and are often found on "Clean Fifteen" lists.
Natural Protection: The thick skin and underground growth habit of table beets protect the edible portion from most topical pesticide applications.
Conventional vs. Organic: Conventional beets contain very low pesticide residues, but organic beets are grown without synthetic chemicals for zero residue.
Proper Washing is Key: Washing beets with cold water and a vegetable brush is effective at removing surface dirt and residue, regardless of how they were grown.
Broader Implications: Choosing organic supports farming practices that reduce environmental and farmworker exposure to synthetic pesticides, addressing wider concerns beyond just consumer residue risk.
Table vs. Sugar Beets: The low-pesticide risk applies to table beets; sugar beets are a different, genetically modified crop used for sugar manufacturing.

The Truth Behind Pesticide Residues on Beets

For many health-conscious consumers, understanding the level of pesticide residue on fruits and vegetables is a major consideration. Beets, being a root vegetable, often cause concern. However, numerous independent analyses show that the worry over whether beets are heavily sprayed with pesticides is largely unfounded. Their unique growth pattern and physical properties naturally protect them from high levels of chemical residue found on some other produce items.

Why Beets Pose a Low-Risk for Pesticide Residue

There are several reasons why beets are not typically a high-pesticide concern:

Natural Protection: As a root vegetable, the edible portion of the beet grows underground, encased by a thick outer peel. This barrier provides significant protection from topical pesticide applications aimed at surface pests and weeds.
Integrated Pest Management: In many cases, farmers use crop rotation and other non-chemical methods to control pests for beets, minimizing the reliance on heavy spraying.
Official Assessments: The Environmental Working Group (EWG) has historically placed beets on its "Clean Fifteen" list, a guide to produce with the least amount of pesticide residue. While lists can change, beets continue to be viewed as a low-risk option in consumer guides focused on chemical exposure.
Low Residue on Finished Product: Even when pesticides are applied, the amount of residue remaining on the finished product that makes it to your grocery store is typically very low, often far below established maximum tolerance levels.

Conventional vs. Organic Beets: A Comparison

While the pesticide risk for conventional beets is low, choosing organic is a valid consideration. The decision often comes down to cost, personal preference, and broader environmental concerns. Here is a table comparing conventional and organic beets:


Feature	Conventional Beets	Organic Beets
Pesticide Use	Yes, synthetic pesticides are used during cultivation.	No, synthetic pesticides or fertilizers are used during cultivation.
Final Pesticide Residue	Very low, due to thick peel and growth habit.	None, by definition of organic farming.
Cost	Generally more affordable than organic.	Typically higher in price due to different farming methods.
Environmental Impact	Uses synthetic chemicals that can affect ecosystems, farmworkers, and water sources.	Reduces environmental impact by avoiding synthetic chemical runoff.
Nutritional Profile	Nutritional content can vary based on cultivar, soil, and weather.	Some studies suggest higher antioxidant levels, but results vary significantly by cultivar and environmental factors.
Health Concerns	Minimal consumer health concerns regarding residue on the finished product.	No consumer health concerns related to pesticide residue.

Washing Beets and Other Produce

Regardless of whether you choose conventional or organic, proper washing is always a recommended practice to remove dirt, bacteria, and any lingering surface residues. For beets, the process is simple and effective.

Under Running Water: Place beets under cold, running water. This can remove between 75-80% of pesticide residues.
Use a Vegetable Brush: For firmer produce like beets, use a dedicated vegetable brush to gently scrub the surface under running water to dislodge any stuck-on dirt or residue.
Baking Soda Soak: Some studies show that soaking produce in a baking soda solution can be more effective at removing certain surface pesticides than plain water. Soak for 12-15 minutes in a solution of 1 teaspoon baking soda per 2 cups of water, then rinse thoroughly.
Peeling: While the skin is edible and nutritious, peeling beets will remove all surface-level residues, though some systemic pesticides could still remain.

Broader Context of Pesticide Use

While consumers can feel confident that a beet on their plate is low-risk for pesticide residue, it is important to acknowledge that pesticide use in conventional farming has wider implications. Environmental groups like Beyond Pesticides point to the impact on farmworkers who are exposed to chemicals during application, as well as the potential for runoff to contaminate soil and water systems. For these reasons, many people choose organic farming to support more sustainable practices. Regardless of personal choice, the fact remains that for the average consumer, the risk of consuming high pesticide levels from table beets is minimal.

Conclusion

In summary, the concern that beets are heavily sprayed with pesticides is not supported by evidence. Table beets are a low-risk food in terms of pesticide residue due to their thick skin and growth below ground. While synthetic chemicals are used in conventional farming, the final product contains very little residue. The decision between conventional and organic beets largely depends on individual priorities, including budget, taste preferences, and support for sustainable agriculture. In either case, proper washing with cold water and a vegetable brush is a highly effective method for ensuring your beets are clean and ready to eat. For those interested in minimizing all exposure and supporting broader environmental goals, organic beets offer a definitive solution. Further reading on the topic of produce safety and pesticide residue can be found at the Environmental Working Group website, which publishes an annual Shopper's Guide to Pesticides in Produce. EWG's Shopper's Guide: Pesticides in Produce.

A note on sugar beets

It is worth noting that a different variety, sugar beets, is used for commercial sugar production and is genetically modified. However, the beets sold for general consumption (table beets) are a different crop and have a different pesticide profile.

Frequently Asked Questions

No, you do not need to buy organic beets solely to avoid pesticides. Studies show that conventional beets have very low pesticide residue due to their thick protective skin and underground growth. However, organic farming practices avoid synthetic pesticides entirely, which some people prefer for environmental or health reasons.

No, beets are not typically included on the 'Dirty Dozen' list, which highlights produce with the highest pesticide residue. Instead, beets are often featured on 'Clean Fifteen' lists, which identify produce with the lowest amount of residue.

The best method is to scrub the beets gently with a vegetable brush under cold, running tap water. Soaking them in a baking soda and water solution for about 15 minutes before scrubbing can also help remove any residual surface pesticides and dirt.

Yes, there is a significant difference. Most beets sold for human consumption are table beets, which have low residue. Sugar beets are a separate, often genetically modified, crop used primarily for commercial sugar manufacturing and have different cultivation practices.

Peeling beets is highly effective for removing all surface-level residue, but it will not remove systemic pesticides that have been absorbed by the plant. However, since conventional beets have low residues to begin with, peeling is not strictly necessary for safety but will remove any remaining surface chemicals and dirt.

Although residues on the final product are low, the use of synthetic pesticides in conventional farming can lead to broader environmental impacts. These include potential contamination of soil and water from runoff, as well as harm to farmworkers and wildlife like pollinators.

Some studies suggest organic beets may have higher levels of certain antioxidants, but the nutritional differences are not always consistent and can depend more on factors like the specific beet cultivar and growing conditions. The primary benefit of choosing organic is the avoidance of synthetic chemical inputs.