The 2025 Dirty Dozen Ranking: The Verdict on Potatoes
For years, many health-conscious consumers have followed the Environmental Working Group's (EWG) annual Shopper's Guide to Pesticides in Produce. The guide's two famous lists, the "Dirty Dozen" and "Clean Fifteen," serve as a key resource for deciding which conventionally grown items are worth buying organic. In a significant shake-up for 2025, potatoes have joined the Dirty Dozen, ranking twelfth on the list of most pesticide-contaminated produce. This new ranking places the humble spud alongside other high-profile items like spinach and strawberries, confirming its status as a dirty dozen item for the first time.
Why Potatoes Are on the Dirty Dozen List
The EWG's determination was based on new data from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), which conducted extensive testing on produce samples. The testing methodology accounts for how consumers prepare their food, meaning the potatoes were washed and scrubbed before being analyzed for pesticide residue. The results showed a surprisingly high concentration of a particular chemical, which tipped the scale for the potato's new, less-than-desirable ranking. The EWG's updated methodology also now factors in the toxicity of the substances, not just the quantity. This makes the 2025 ranking even more significant as it considers potential health risks. While many different pesticides were detected on the Dirty Dozen list items, the high prevalence of a single post-harvest chemical on potatoes was the primary driver for their inclusion.
The Main Culprit: Chlorpropham
The chemical responsible for the potato's new status is chlorpropham, a plant growth regulator used to prevent sprouting during storage. According to the USDA tests, a staggering 90% of conventional potato samples contained residues of this chemical, even after the standard washing and scrubbing. The average concentration detected was nearly three parts per million, a high figure relative to other pesticides found on produce. Alarmingly, this concentration was twice the level the Environmental Protection Agency used in its most recent assessment. In 2019, the European Union banned the use of chlorpropham due to health concerns, highlighting the global scrutiny surrounding this chemical.
Debunking the Myths: Nutritional Value vs. Pesticide Concerns
Despite the pesticide issues, it is important to remember that potatoes are a nutrient-dense food. They are an excellent source of vitamin C and potassium, offering more potassium per serving than a banana. Potatoes also provide dietary fiber, especially when consumed with the skin. The conversation is not about avoiding potatoes entirely, but rather about being mindful of how they are grown. The EWG and other health experts still encourage the consumption of all fruits and vegetables for a healthy diet, emphasizing that the focus should be on minimizing pesticide intake when possible, not eliminating entire food groups.
The Clean Counterpart: Sweet Potatoes
For those concerned about the pesticide levels in conventional white potatoes, sweet potatoes offer a cleaner and nutritious alternative. Sweet potatoes are not typically treated with chlorpropham. They rank favorably on the EWG's full list, positioned well away from the Dirty Dozen. Sweet potatoes are an excellent source of Vitamin A, in addition to being rich in vitamin C and fiber. Substituting sweet potatoes for conventional white potatoes is an easy way to reduce exposure to chlorpropham while still enjoying a starchy, vitamin-rich vegetable.
A Comparison: Conventional Potatoes vs. Organic Potatoes
| Feature | Conventional Potatoes | Organic Potatoes |
|---|---|---|
| Pesticide Residue | High residue, particularly chlorpropham | Considerably lower residue |
| Chlorpropham | Detected on 90% of samples (USDA data) | Not used in organic farming, though trace cross-contamination is possible |
| EWG 2025 Ranking | #12 on Dirty Dozen list | Not included on Dirty Dozen or Clean Fifteen lists; generally considered safer |
| Farming Method | Uses synthetic pesticides for pest control and growth regulators like chlorpropham | Uses natural fertilizers and pest management methods |
| Cost | Typically less expensive | Higher cost due to farming and certification processes |
Practical Ways to Reduce Pesticide Exposure
If opting for organic potatoes is not always possible, there are several steps consumers can take to reduce pesticide exposure from conventionally grown varieties:
- Wash and Scrub Thoroughly: Before cooking, wash potatoes under cold, running water and scrub them with a vegetable brush. This removes surface dirt, bacteria, and some pesticide residue.
- Consider a Soak: Soaking potatoes in a solution of one part white vinegar to three parts water for 5–10 minutes before scrubbing can further help reduce pesticide levels. Be sure to rinse them thoroughly afterward.
- Peel the Skin: For conventional potatoes, peeling the skin can remove a significant amount of pesticide residue, though some nutrients will also be lost. It is still important to wash the potatoes before peeling to prevent cross-contamination from the peel to the flesh via your hands or a knife.
- Choose Alternatives: Consider substituting conventional white potatoes with sweet potatoes, which are consistently ranked much cleaner.
- Support Organic Farming: For those able to, buying USDA Organic certified potatoes is the most direct way to minimize exposure to synthetic pesticides like chlorpropham. Even though some organic samples showed very low levels of chlorpropham due to cross-contamination, the levels were significantly lower than in conventional potatoes.
Conclusion: Making an Informed Choice
The 2025 EWG Dirty Dozen list provides important information for consumers, but it doesn't mean you must avoid potatoes altogether. By understanding the risks associated with conventionally grown potatoes, namely the presence of the sprout inhibitor chlorpropham, you can make informed choices to protect your health. Opting for organic potatoes, choosing cleaner alternatives like sweet potatoes, or simply washing and peeling thoroughly can all help mitigate pesticide exposure. Ultimately, the best approach is to eat a variety of fruits and vegetables, and use the EWG's guide as a tool to prioritize your choices, rather than a reason to fear a valuable and nutritious food source. Find more information on the official EWG website: https://www.ewg.org/foodnews/potatoes.php.
