Understanding the Clean 15 and Dirty Dozen
The Environmental Working Group (EWG) publishes its annual Shopper’s Guide to Pesticides in Produce™ to help consumers make informed decisions about their food choices. The guide is made up of two lists: the 'Dirty Dozen' and the 'Clean 15'. The Dirty Dozen identifies the 12 fruits and vegetables with the highest pesticide residues, while the Clean 15 names the 15 types of produce with the lowest residues. These lists are based on data from the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the Food and Drug Administration, analyzing thousands of produce samples.
For 2025, the EWG introduced an updated ranking methodology that considers not only the quantity and frequency of pesticide detection but also the potential toxicity of the specific pesticides found. This offers a more comprehensive picture of the potential health risks associated with pesticide exposure. The purpose of these lists is not to deter people from eating fruits and vegetables, but rather to help those who wish to minimize their pesticide intake prioritize their organic purchases.
Are Carrots on the Clean 15 List?
Yes, for the 2025 Shopper’s Guide to Pesticides in Produce, carrots are included on the Clean 15 list. This means that conventional, non-organic carrots have been found to have low levels of pesticide residues, making them a safer choice to purchase without needing to prioritize the more expensive organic version. This is good news for budget-conscious shoppers who still want to reduce their exposure to agricultural chemicals.
The EWG's data for 2025 showed that almost 60% of the produce samples on the Clean 15 list had no detectable pesticide residues. Carrots are often featured on the Clean 15 due to their lower residue levels, which is reassuring for consumers. The practice of washing and peeling produce also plays a role in reducing surface-level pesticides, though EWG's testing is done after such preparations to provide a realistic consumer-level assessment.
A Comparison: Clean 15 vs. Dirty Dozen
Understanding the distinction between the two lists is crucial for making informed choices at the grocery store. Here’s a quick overview contrasting the two guides:
| Feature | Clean 15 | Dirty Dozen |
|---|---|---|
| Pesticide Residue Level | Lowest | Highest |
| Purchase Recommendation | Safer to buy conventional (non-organic) | Best to buy organic to reduce exposure |
| 2025 Examples | Carrots, Avocados, Sweet Corn | Strawberries, Spinach, Kale |
| Underlying Principle | Helps save money while still minimizing pesticide intake | Prioritizes organic purchasing where pesticide risk is highest |
| EWG Finding (2025) | Almost 60% of samples with no detectable residues | More than 90% of samples contained pesticide residues |
The Nutritional Profile of Carrots
Regardless of whether they are organic or conventional, carrots are a nutritional powerhouse. They are an excellent source of beta-carotene, which the body converts into vitamin A, a crucial nutrient for vision, immune function, and skin health. Carrots also provide a good amount of fiber, which aids in digestion and can help with weight management. Other important nutrients found in carrots include vitamin K1, potassium, and various antioxidants that can help protect the body against disease. Their low-calorie content and natural sweetness make them a versatile and healthy addition to any diet, whether consumed raw, roasted, or in a variety of recipes.
Shopping Smart and Reducing Pesticide Exposure
For consumers, navigating the grocery store with an eye toward health can be simplified by using the EWG's guide. The lists are a tool to help prioritize spending and make budget-friendly choices. For instance, you can confidently choose conventional carrots while opting for organic versions of produce on the Dirty Dozen, like strawberries or spinach, which are more susceptible to high pesticide residues.
Beyond just the Clean 15 and Dirty Dozen, there are other considerations for minimizing pesticide intake:
- Wash and Peel: As the EWG notes, even with their testing, washing and peeling produce remains an important step. While this is standard practice for carrots, it's also effective for many other fruits and vegetables.
- Diversify Your Diet: Varying the types of produce you eat can help ensure you aren't consistently exposed to the same types of pesticides. This also provides a wider range of nutrients.
- Consider Frozen: Many frozen fruits and vegetables are also included in the EWG's analysis. For example, frozen sweet peas are also a regular on the Clean 15 list.
- Grow Your Own: For those with the ability, growing your own produce, or shopping at local farmers' markets where you can ask about growing practices, offers another way to control pesticide exposure.
Conclusion
Ultimately, the question of "Are carrots on the Clean 15 list?" has a clear and positive answer: Yes, they are. This designation from the Environmental Working Group provides a useful guide for consumers looking to balance budget and health. By knowing that conventional carrots are considered low in pesticide residue, shoppers can make a confident and economical choice. This approach allows for a smarter, more targeted strategy for reducing pesticide exposure by prioritizing organic purchases for items on the Dirty Dozen, while still enjoying the robust nutritional benefits that carrots and other produce on the Clean 15 have to offer.
Can I just wash carrots instead of buying organic?
Yes, washing your carrots is an important step to reduce surface dirt and potential pesticide residue, and for items on the Clean 15, like carrots, it is generally considered sufficient to make them a safe, low-pesticide option. The EWG's testing on which the list is based is conducted on produce that has been washed or peeled in a similar manner to how a consumer would prepare it.
What is the difference between Clean 15 and Dirty Dozen?
The Clean 15 is the list of conventionally grown fruits and vegetables with the lowest pesticide residues, while the Dirty Dozen includes the 12 produce items with the highest residue levels. The Clean 15 is considered safer to buy conventional, while the Dirty Dozen is best purchased organic if you want to minimize pesticide exposure.
Why is it sometimes okay to buy conventional produce?
For items on the Clean 15, buying conventional is considered acceptable because these foods have been found to have very low or no detectable pesticide residues. This allows consumers to save money on produce that poses a lower risk of pesticide exposure, without having to sacrifice nutritional value.
Have carrots always been on the Clean 15 list?
Carrots have been a consistent fixture on the EWG's Clean 15 list for many years, including 2023, 2024, and 2025, due to their consistently low pesticide residue levels. The annual lists are updated based on the most recent USDA testing data.
Does eating organic carrots provide more nutrients?
While some sources suggest organic produce may have a higher nutrient content, mainstream consensus indicates that the nutritional difference between organic and conventional carrots is often negligible. Both are excellent sources of nutrients like beta-carotene, and the most important factor is simply consuming enough fruits and vegetables, regardless of how they are grown.
What are some examples of produce on the Clean 15?
Besides carrots, other produce commonly featured on the Clean 15 list in recent years include avocados, sweet corn, pineapple, onions, and sweet peas (frozen).
Is it better to eat conventional produce than no produce at all?
Yes, experts from the EWG and other health organizations stress that the health benefits of eating a diet rich in fruits and vegetables—whether conventional or organic—far outweigh any potential risks from pesticide exposure, especially when choosing items from the Clean 15.
How does the EWG test for pesticides?
The EWG's annual Shopper's Guide analyzes data from thousands of produce samples tested by the USDA and FDA. The produce is prepared by washing or peeling before testing, similar to how a consumer would prepare it. The 2025 guide also factors in the toxicity of detected pesticides, not just the amount.
