The Environmental Working Group (EWG) releases its "Shopper's Guide to Pesticides in Produce" every year around the first day of spring. This annual report includes a "Dirty Dozen" list of fruits and vegetables that typically receive widespread media coverage. Compelling criticism of that list came from the Alliance for Food and Farming (AFF) this year. AFF opposes the “Dirty Dozen”, citing studies and government data that undermine its findings. Peer-reviewed research published in the Journal of Toxicology suggests that substituting organic produce for conventional based on the "Dirty Dozen" list does not reduce consumer risk due to very low residue levels on conventionally grown produce. The AFF also criticizes the lack of scientifically established methodology in developing the "Dirty Dozen" list, emphasizing USDA data showing that over 99% of sampled foods have residue levels well below EPA safety standards.
