Despite their nutritional benefits, spinach and strawberries are the most polluted vegetables of 2026.

A report issued by the Environmental Working Group of the United States revealed a list of the 12 most polluted fruits and vegetables for 2026, with spinach topping the list of vegetables in terms of containing the highest levels of pesticide and chemical residues, while strawberries came in first place among the most polluted fruits.

The report was based on the latest tests conducted by the US Department of Agriculture, which revealed that spinach, considered one of the most important nutrient-rich vegetables, making it an essential element in a healthy diet, contains the highest percentage of pesticide residues compared to any other type of agricultural product.

Which vegetables are the most contaminated?

The list of the 12 most contaminated fruits and vegetables, ranked in descending order, included spinach, green cabbage, strawberries, grapes, nectarines, peaches, cherries, apples, blackberries, pears, potatoes, and blueberries.

toxic pesticides

The Environmental Working Group noted that DDT, which has been banned as a pesticide since the 1970s, still has traces of decomposition in the soil, as 40% of spinach samples in particular were found to contain DDT decomposition products, a substance toxic to humans.

The report revealed that 76% of the samples contained residues of permethrin, a neurotoxic insecticide. Since 2000, Europe has not allowed the use of permethrin on food crops.

Permethrin is a chemical compound belonging to the synthetic pyrethroids group. It is mainly used as an insecticide and pest repellent. When taken in high doses, permethrin overwhelms the nervous system and causes tremors and seizures.

Among the pesticides found in samples of about 30% of non-organic fruits and vegetables in the United States are PFAS compounds, which are persistent chemicals that pollute the environment.

Thirty-one different types of PFAs were detected in samples from 47 types of agricultural products, with fludioxonyl being the most common chemical. Peaches, plums, strawberries, and grapes contained the highest percentage of PFAs pesticide residues.

The danger of agricultural pesticides

In 2015, the scientific journal Springer Nature published a study on the relationship between increased exposure to pyrethroid pesticides—to which permethrin belongs—and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder in children.

The study revealed that this association is stronger for symptoms of hyperactivity and impulsivity compared to symptoms of inattention, and in boys compared to girls.

A preliminary study published in ScienceDirect in August 2023 found a link between a pregnant woman’s exposure to pesticides and an increased risk of premature birth, due to the role of pesticides in stimulating inflammation and disrupting endocrine functions.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency said in its report on the health effects of ingesting doses of various types of PFAs pesticides that it could lead to decreased fertility and high blood pressure in pregnant women, low birth weight, accelerated puberty, bone differences, or behavioral changes in children.

The risks of PFAs pesticides have reached the point of increasing the risk of developing certain types of cancer, including prostate, kidney and testicular cancer, and reducing the body’s immune system’s ability to fight infections, including reduced response to vaccines and increased cholesterol, in addition to obesity.

Is stopping eating vegetables and fruits a solution?

The Environmental Working Group report recommended that, despite the variety of pesticides found in fruits and vegetables, eating fruits and vegetables should not be avoided to reduce exposure to PFAs, because the health benefits of consuming them outweigh the risks of exposure. “This means there is much more to be done to address the potential risks.”

Because fruits and vegetables are a cornerstone of any healthy diet, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has outlined 7 steps to clean them and reduce the harmful health effects associated with farming and storage methods.

7 guidelines

1. Wash your hands thoroughly for 20 seconds using warm water and soap before and after handling fresh produce.
2. Remove damaged or infected parts before preparation or consumption.
3. Wash fruits and vegetables before peeling them to avoid transferring bacteria and pesticide residues from the knife to the inside.
4. It is also important to gently scrub the produce under running water without using soap or special detergents, using a clean brush to clean hard types such as cucumbers and melons.
5. After that, it is preferable to dry them using a clean cloth or paper towel to reduce the presence of bacteria.
6. Remove the outer leaves from lettuce or cabbage.
7. Finally, it is recommended to store vegetables and fruits at low temperatures to maintain their quality and safety.