EWG Clean Fifteen 2025: Full List, Changes from 2024, and Smart Organic Shopping Tips

Save money, reduce pesticide exposure, and shop clean with this year’s updated EWG produce rankings.

Every time I talk about eating clean, someone asks the same thing: “Do I really need to buy everything organic?”

Let’s be real—organic isn’t always accessible, especially when prices are high and life is busier than ever. And while I’ll always advocate for quality nutrition, I also believe that uncomplicated wellness starts with knowing what matters most—and what you can skip.

That’s why I love the EWG Clean Fifteen list. It’s one of the simplest tools I use with clients to uncomplicate their grocery decisions. It helps us focus on where organic matters, and where it doesn’t.

This year, the Environmental Working Group (EWG) just dropped the 2025 Clean Fifteen, and there are a few key updates you’ll want to know—especially if you're navigating wellness on a real-life budget.

Let’s break it down: what’s changed and how to shop smarter without spending more than you need to.

What Is the EWG Clean Fifteen?

The Clean Fifteen is a list of conventionally grown fruits and veggies with the lowest levels of pesticide residue, based on thousands of USDA tests. Translation: these are the safest picks when you can’t (or don’t want to) buy everything organic.

Even if you’re eating “healthy,” conventionally grown produce can carry dozens of pesticide residues. Over time, low-level exposure may impact hormones, digestion, and even fertility. The Clean Fifteen lets you minimize risk without maxing out your grocery bill.

What’s New in 2025?

The EWG made some subtle but important changes this year, not just in the produce listed—but also in how they ranked it. They’ve now incorporated pesticide toxicity into their methodology, not just how many pesticide residues were detected.

Here are the highlights from the 2025 EWG Clean Fifteen list, compared to 2024:

2025 New Additions:

• Cauliflower – Newly added and scored well under the updated pesticide toxicity analysis.

• Bananas – Made the list this year due to both low residue and low-toxicity pesticide presence.

Fell Off the List in 2025:

• Sweet corn: Likely due to higher pesticide findings this year, or cross-contamination with GMOs.

• Papaya: Concerns about GMOs and trace pesticides likely affected its rank.

• Cantaloupe: Detected slightly higher levels of residue compared to last year.

• Important to note: Potatoes and blackberries made the Dirty List.

2025 Clean Fifteen (Full List):

1. Pineapple

2. Sweet corn (fresh & frozen)

3. Avocados

4. Papaya

5. Onions

6. Sweet peas (frozen)

7. Asparagus

8. Cabbage

9. Watermelon

10. Cauliflower (new this year)

11. Bananas (new this year)

12. Mangoes

13. Carrots

14. Mushrooms

15. Kiwi

What If Organic Is Too Expensive?

At Vango Wellness, I don’t believe in wellness that drains your wallet or leaves you riddled with guilt. Here’s how I help clients shop intentionally:

1. Prioritize the Dirty Dozen

These are the items where organic matters most. If your budget is limited, start by choosing organic for just these 12.

2. Lean Into the Clean Fifteen

Use the 2025 list as your green light to buy conventional versions of these items. Many are also cheaper in bulk (think carrots, onions, bananas).

3. Buy Frozen

Frozen organic fruits and veggies are often more affordable—and just as nutritious. They’re great for smoothies, stir-fries, and soups.

4. Shop Seasonally and Locally

Farmers’ markets and CSAs often sell organic or low-spray produce at lower costs than big supermarkets.

5. Grow What You Can

Herbs, lettuces, tomatoes—if you’ve got a window or a patio, you’ve got potential. Bonus: it’s grounding, meditative, and your food is truly traceable.

6. Get my Supermarket Guide.

An exhaustive guide to make your next grocery trip way less overwhelming.

7. Wash your produce always.

Even the Clean Fifteen aren’t entirely pesticide-free—and if you’re buying conventional items from the Dirty Dozen list, washing is non-negotiable.

Here’s what I recommend to all my clients for a simple, effective, and uncomplicated produce rinse:

1. Fill a clean bowl or your sink with cold water.
   Add 1–2 tablespoons of baking soda per quart of water. Baking soda has been shown to help remove certain pesticide residues better than water alone.

2. Soak produce for 10–15 minutes.
   Especially for apples, cucumbers, and anything with a skin. You don’t need to scrub aggressively—just let time and chemistry work.

3. Rinse thoroughly with clean water and pat dry.
   Use a clean towel or paper towel to remove any remaining dirt or residue.

What I don’t recommend:

• Store-bought veggie washes (they’re mostly marketing, and not proven to outperform baking soda + water).

• Soap or bleach (these can leave their own residue and aren’t safe for ingestion).

For items like berries or mushrooms, stick to a quick rinse right before eating to avoid mushiness—but still rinse them well.

Even if you're buying organic, a rinse helps remove dirt, bacteria, and waxes used in storage. Clean food = clearer gut, stronger immune system.

What matters most is knowing where to prioritize.

That’s why I lean on tools like the Clean Fifteen to guide smarter choices, especially when organic prices feel out of reach.

But if you’re still staring down your grocery list thinking, “OK… but what do I actually buy?”—I’ve got you.

Because wellness should feel empowering—not exhausting.

---

Join the Vango Wellness Community!

💌 Subscribe to my newsletter for more wellness tips.
📲 Follow me on Instagram for daily motivation.
🎯 Book a FREE coaching consultation to start your personalized wellness journey.
🛒 Purchase the Supermarket Guide to help you make the right choices when grocery shopping.