Is There Organic Celery? A Guide to Pesticide-Free Produce

December 21, 2025 •

3 min read

According to the Environmental Working Group (EWG), conventional celery has consistently been listed on its 'Dirty Dozen' list of produce with the highest pesticide residues. This fact makes many consumers wonder: is there organic celery, and is it a safer option? The simple answer is yes, organic celery is widely available and grown without synthetic pesticides.

Quick Summary

Yes, organic celery is readily available in many stores and is grown without synthetic pesticides or fertilizers. It is often recommended by organizations like the Environmental Working Group due to conventional celery's high pesticide residue count. Organic celery may be more expensive but offers a cleaner option for consumers concerned about chemical exposure.

Key Points

Organic Celery Exists: Yes, organic celery is widely available in grocery stores, farmers' markets, and through organic delivery services.
Reduces Pesticide Exposure: Opting for organic celery is the best way to minimize your consumption of synthetic pesticide residues, which conventional celery is known to carry.
Supports Sustainable Farming: Buying organic supports farming methods that protect soil health, water sources, and biodiversity.
Check for Certification: When buying, look for a reputable organic certification seal, like the USDA Organic label, to ensure authenticity.
Nutritional Value Debated: While some studies are inconclusive on major nutritional differences, the main draw of organic celery is reduced chemical load, not necessarily higher nutrient content.
Still Need to Wash: Even organic celery should be thoroughly washed before eating to remove any potential dirt or bacteria.
Know the Dirty Dozen: The Environmental Working Group (EWG) consistently lists conventional celery on its 'Dirty Dozen' list of produce with the most pesticides.

Yes, Organic Celery Is Widely Available

Organic celery is not only real but also a common sight in most grocery stores, farmers' markets, and organic food delivery services. Grown using sustainable farming practices and without synthetic pesticides or fertilizers, it offers a cleaner and potentially safer alternative to conventionally grown celery. The availability of organic celery is a direct response to growing consumer demand for produce grown with fewer chemicals, especially given conventional celery's notoriety on the Environmental Working Group's (EWG) 'Dirty Dozen' list.

Why the Concern Over Conventional Celery?

The primary reason for the push toward organic celery is the vegetable's high pesticide residue levels when grown conventionally. Celery's fibrous, porous stalks make it particularly susceptible to absorbing and retaining chemical treatments applied during the growth process. The EWG's research has consistently highlighted this issue, reporting that conventional celery can be contaminated with a concerning number of pesticide residues. This has led health-conscious consumers and activists to advocate for organic options, which, by definition, must be grown without these harmful chemicals.

Finding and Identifying Organic Celery

Shopping for organic celery is straightforward once you know what to look for. The key is to find products with a certification from a reputable organic-certifying body, such as the USDA Organic seal in the United States. This seal indicates that the produce has been grown and processed according to strict organic standards. When purchasing, you will notice that organic celery stalks might be slightly smaller than their conventional counterparts and may have a more pronounced, earthy flavor. Always check for a certification label, and if shopping at a farmers' market, don't hesitate to ask the farmer directly about their growing methods.

Benefits of Choosing Organic Celery

Opting for organic celery offers several potential advantages:

Reduced Pesticide Exposure: This is the most significant benefit, especially for a vegetable known to have high residue levels. Buying organic helps minimize your intake of synthetic chemicals.
Environmental Impact: Organic farming practices, which avoid chemical runoff, are generally considered better for the environment. This helps preserve soil health, protect water sources, and support biodiversity.
Healthier Farming: Organic agriculture supports farm workers by reducing their exposure to potentially toxic chemicals during cultivation and harvesting.
Flavor Profile: Many people report that organic celery has a richer, more intense flavor compared to conventional varieties, a result of healthier soil and more natural growing conditions.

Organic vs. Conventional Celery: A Comparison

To help you decide what's best for you, here is a comparison of key aspects of organic and conventional celery:


Feature	Organic Celery	Conventional Celery
Pesticide Use	Grown without synthetic pesticides.	Treated with synthetic pesticides and herbicides.
Fertilizers	Uses natural fertilizers like compost and manure.	Uses synthetic, chemical fertilizers for growth.
Pesticide Residue	Very low to no detectable levels of residue.	High potential for significant pesticide residue.
Cost	Often more expensive due to higher production costs.	Typically less expensive due to mass-production techniques.
Flavor	Often perceived as having a more robust, natural flavor.	Milder flavor, less complex.
Environmental Impact	More sustainable; focuses on soil health and biodiversity.	Can contribute to chemical runoff and soil degradation.

How to Prepare Celery Safely

Whether you choose organic or conventional, proper preparation is always important. Always wash celery thoroughly under running water. For an extra measure, you can scrub the stalks gently with a vegetable brush. Some sources also suggest soaking conventional celery in a baking soda solution to help remove some surface pesticides. After washing, trim the ends and peel any tough, stringy outer layers if desired. If you are particularly concerned about chemical residue from conventional varieties, buying organic is the most direct way to mitigate this risk.

Conclusion

In conclusion, organic celery is a very real and accessible option for consumers seeking a cleaner, pesticide-free alternative to conventional produce. While some studies show minimal nutritional differences between organic and conventional produce, the primary benefit of choosing organic celery is the significant reduction in pesticide exposure. With conventional celery frequently listed on the EWG's 'Dirty Dozen,' making the switch to organic can offer peace of mind for you and your family, and it also supports more sustainable farming practices. Look for official organic certification labels when you shop, and don't forget to wash all your produce thoroughly before enjoying it.

Shop for organic celery online at Riverford.co.uk

Frequently Asked Questions

The primary health benefit of organic celery lies in its lack of synthetic pesticide residues, which conventional celery can contain at high levels. While the nutritional content may be similar, avoiding these chemical residues is a significant health advantage for many consumers.

Conventional celery is included on the Environmental Working Group's (EWG) 'Dirty Dozen' list because its fibrous stalks are highly absorbent, leading to high levels of retained pesticide residue. This makes it one of the most contaminated fruits and vegetables when conventionally grown.

To identify organic celery, look for a certification label, such as the USDA Organic seal, on the packaging. At a farmers' market, you can ask the grower about their certification and cultivation methods. The organic produce will often be displayed separately from conventional items.

Yes, organic celery is typically more expensive than its conventional counterpart. This price difference is due to higher production costs associated with organic farming, such as using natural fertilizers and more labor-intensive pest management techniques.

Some people report that organic celery has a more robust, natural, and sometimes slightly more bitter taste than conventional celery. This difference is often attributed to healthier soil and the absence of certain chemical treatments.

To reduce surface pesticide residues on conventional celery, thoroughly wash the stalks under running water, scrubbing gently with a vegetable brush. Some people also recommend soaking it in a solution of water and baking soda for a few minutes before rinsing again.

Organic celery juice is considered safer because it is made from stalks grown without synthetic pesticides, reducing the risk of consuming chemical residues. Since juicing concentrates the contents of the vegetable, starting with an organic source is a reliable way to minimize chemical intake.