Fewer than 1% of avocados and sweet corn tested positive for pesticides. The Environmental Working Group ranked avocados as the No. 1 cleanest produce.
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Sweet corn —
Fewer than 1% of sweet corn and avocados tested positive for pesticides. This year, corn was ranked as the second-cleanest produce. Because a small portion of corn is grown from genetically modified seeds, the group suggests that those who wish to avoid genetically altered foods buy organic corn.
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Pineapples —
This tropical plant filled position three on the clean list. Since 2004, the Environmental Working Group -- a nonprofit, nonpartisan environmental organization -- annually ranks pesticide contamination in 47 popular fruits and vegetables for its Shopper's Guide.
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Frozen sweet peas —
Frozen sweet peas jumped to fourth from sixth last year. The Dirty Dozen and Clean 15 are based off more than 40,900 fruit and vegetable samples tested by the US Food and Drug Administration and the US Department of Agriculture.
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Onions —
Onions maintained their position at five this year. In contrast to the Dirty Dozen, there was no detection of pesticide residues in 70% of foods on the Clean 15 list.
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Papayas —
Papayas made their way up to sixth place. The Environmental Working Group notes that the majority of Hawaiian papaya is genetically modified. They suggest that those who wish to avoid genetically altered foods buy organic papaya.
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Eggplant —
This year, eggplants rank seventh on the Clean 15 list. Research on the effects of pesticides on organisms is ongoing, and there is not a complete understanding of whether there is a particular amount of pesticides considered to be safe.
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Asparagus —
Asparagus kept its place at eighth among the cleanest produce this year. Even with the growing concern for the effects of pesticides, the benefits of fruits and vegetables is an important part of a daily diet.
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Kiwi —
Green kiwis were placed ninth on the list of cleanest vegetables and fruits. Since kiwis and honeydew melons are not tested by the United States Department of Agriculture, the group gathers this data from the FDA.
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Cabbage —
Cabbage took a few steps back by placing 10th. All produce on the Clean 15 list tested positive for fewer than four pesticides, except for cabbage.
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Cauliflower —
Cauliflower took the 11th place on the Clean 15 list this year.
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Cantaloupes —
Cantaloupe ranked 12th on the Clean 15 list.
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Broccoli —
Broccoli slipped into position No. 13 on the Clean 15 list.
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Mushrooms —
Mushrooms joined the rank of the Clean 15 this year, placing 14th.
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Honeydew Melon —
Honeydew melon found its way onto the Clean 15 list.