EWG finds PFAS pesticide residues in US produce and California water

The Environmental Working Group’s 2026 Shopper’s Guide lists pineapples, sweet corn and avocados among the Clean Fifteen produce with the lowest pesticide residues, while spinach, kale, collard greens, strawberries, grapes and nectarines make up the Dirty Dozen, with 96% of those items containing pesticide residues. PFAS pesticides were detected on 63% of Dirty Dozen samples, including fludioxonil on 14% of all produce and nearly 90% of peaches and plums. PFAS chemicals are persistent, classified as Group 1 carcinogens, and have been linked to thyroid, liver and immune‑system disorders.

A separate EWG analysis of California’s Surface Water Database (2020‑2023) found PFAS in half of 4,158 surface‑water samples across ten counties. Detection rates were highest in San Luis Obispo (23%) and Monterey (22%) counties, with the PFAS‑based insecticide bifenthrin present in all San Luis Obispo samples. California uses about 2.5 million pounds of PFAS on farmland each year, prompting EWG to call for expanded monitoring and a phase‑out of PFAS pesticides to protect drinking water supplies.