To Buy: Best Organic Foods
Buying organic food is often a strategic choice to reduce exposure to synthetic pesticides and support sustainable farming practices. While some items are worth the higher price tag due to high pesticide residues in conventional versions, others are relatively safe to buy non-organic.
Each year, environmental groups identify the produce with the highest pesticide contamination. For 2026, it is recommended to buy organic versions of these twelve items whenever possible:
: Their thin skins make them highly susceptible to chemical absorption. best organic foods to buy
: Rising contamination rates have kept them on this priority list. Dirty Dozen & Clean Fifteen 2026: EWG's Updated List
: Often contain sprout inhibitors like chlorpropham. Buying organic food is often a strategic choice
: Includes kale, collard, and mustard greens, which can carry over 20 different pesticides per sample.
: Consistently test positive for multiple residues and rose in rank for 2026. Peaches : Soft skin easily absorbs pesticide sprays. For 2026, it is recommended to buy organic
: Nearly all samples test positive for multiple residues.