You’re standing in the produce aisle, staring at a bag of glossy, deep-red Bing cherries. They look incredible. But then that little voice in the back of your head kicks in. You start wondering about pesticides. You’ve heard of the "Dirty Dozen," that annual list that basically tells us which fruits are "clean" and which ones are "dirty." So, are cherries on the dirty dozen list this year?
The short answer? Yes. Honestly, they almost always are.
It sucks because cherries are a nutritional powerhouse, but they consistently rank near the top of the Environmental Working Group’s (EWG) list of pesticide-heavy produce. If you’re trying to navigate the grocery store without breaking the bank or accidentally eating a chemical cocktail, there is a lot of nuance here that most "health" blogs just skip over.
Why Cherries Consistently Make the Cut
The EWG releases its Shopper’s Guide to Pesticides in Produce every year. They pull data from the USDA and the FDA, looking at thousands of samples. In the most recent reports, cherries have landed in the top ten. Usually, they sit somewhere around number seven or eight, nestled between peaches and blueberries.
Why? It’s mostly about the skin.
Think about a cherry. It’s small, delicate, and has a very thin, edible skin. Unlike a pineapple or an avocado, which have thick, armor-like peels that you toss in the trash, a cherry’s exterior is fully exposed to the elements. When farmers spray, those chemicals sit right on the part you eat. Even more frustrating is the fact that cherries are prone to specific pests like the spotted wing drosophila. Farmers often feel they have no choice but to use multiple types of pesticides to save the crop.
Researchers have found that even after washing, many cherries still carry residues of several different pesticides. We aren't just talking about one chemical; sometimes it's a mix of five or six different compounds on a single sample. That "cocktail effect" is what really worries toxicologists like Dr. Leonardo Trasande, who has spent years studying how endocrine-disrupting chemicals impact our hormones.
The Reality of "Dirty" vs. "Clean"
It's easy to get scared by the term "Dirty Dozen," but we need to be realistic. The list doesn't say that cherries are toxic or that you'll get sick immediately after eating a bowl of them. What it means is that, relative to other fruits, they have a higher frequency and variety of detectable pesticide residues.
💡 You might also like: Foods to Eat to Prevent Gas: What Actually Works and Why You’re Doing It Wrong
A lot of people think washing with just water or a bit of vinegar fixes everything. It helps, sure. But some pesticides are systemic—they’re absorbed into the plant’s tissue through the roots or leaves. You can't scrub those away.
But here is the flip side.
The Alliance for Food and Farming, which represents conventional farmers, often points out that the levels of pesticides found on these fruits are still well below the safety limits set by the EPA. They argue that the EWG is fear-mongering. On the other hand, groups like the EWG argue that those EPA limits are outdated and don’t account for the cumulative effect of eating "dirty" produce every single day for decades.
Should You Only Buy Organic?
If you can afford it, cherries are one of the few items where buying organic actually makes a massive difference. Because are cherries on the dirty dozen list? Yes, and they have been for years.
Organic cherries are grown without synthetic pesticides or fertilizers. When you buy organic, you're significantly reducing your exposure to organophosphates and carbamates, which are the types of chemicals often linked to neurodevelopmental issues in kids.
But look, I know organic cherries can cost $8.00 a pound. Sometimes more. It's ridiculous.
If organic isn't in the budget, don't stop eating fruit. That’s the worst thing you could do. The health benefits of the anthocyanins—those pigments that make cherries red and help fight inflammation—usually outweigh the risks of the pesticide residue for most adults. Cherries are basically nature's Ibuprofen. They're incredible for gout, sleep (thanks to natural melatonin), and muscle recovery.
📖 Related: Magnesio: Para qué sirve y cómo se toma sin tirar el dinero
Smart Strategies for the Savvy Shopper
If you're worried but don't want to spend your entire paycheck at Whole Foods, you've got options.
First, consider frozen. Often, you can find organic frozen cherries for a fraction of the price of fresh ones. They are picked at peak ripeness and frozen immediately, so you aren't losing the nutrients. They’re perfect for smoothies or oatmeal.
Second, look for "IPM" labels. IPM stands for Integrated Pest Management. These farmers aren't strictly organic, but they use the absolute minimum amount of chemicals possible, relying instead on natural predators and better monitoring to keep bugs away. It’s a middle ground that often results in much lower residue levels.
Third, use the "Clean Fifteen." If you're spending extra on organic cherries because they're on the Dirty Dozen, save money by buying conventional onions, avocados, and sweet corn. Those items rarely have significant pesticide residues, so you don't need to waste your "organic budget" on them.
Washing Techniques That Actually Work
If you have conventional cherries in your fridge right now, don't panic. A simple rinse under the tap isn't the most effective method, though.
A study from the University of Massachusetts found that soaking produce in a solution of baking soda and water was more effective at removing certain pesticides than plain water or bleach solutions.
The Baking Soda Soak:
👉 See also: Why Having Sex in Bed Naked Might Be the Best Health Hack You Aren't Using
- Mix about 1 teaspoon of baking soda for every 2 cups of cold water.
- Let the cherries soak for 12 to 15 minutes.
- Rinse them thoroughly under cold running water.
Is it perfect? No. Does it help? Definitely. It won't get the systemic pesticides inside the fruit, but it will knock down the surface residues significantly.
The Big Picture on Pesticides
We have to talk about the "why" behind the list. The EWG isn't just looking at the number of pesticides; they're looking at the toxicity. Some of the chemicals found on cherries in recent years include Bifenthrin, which is a pyrethroid insecticide. While the FDA considers it safe in tiny amounts, some studies suggest it can act as an endocrine disruptor.
Then there's the environmental impact. Conventionally grown cherries require more chemical intervention, which affects local bee populations and water runoff. So, when we ask if cherries are on the list, we're also asking about the broader footprint of how that fruit got to our table.
Actionable Steps for Your Next Trip
Stop overthinking it. Here is the move:
Check the EWG’s current year list before you go. It changes slightly, but cherries are a staple there. If you see a great deal on organic cherries, grab them. If not, and you really want cherries, buy the conventional ones, do the baking soda soak, and enjoy them. The fiber and antioxidants are still doing your body a favor.
If you’re really concerned about pesticides but can't find organic cherries, swap them for a "Clean Fifteen" fruit like kiwi or cantaloupe for that week.
- Prioritize organic for cherries, strawberries, and spinach whenever possible.
- Wash thoroughly using the baking soda method for all conventional stone fruits.
- Buy frozen organic to save money while avoiding the Dirty Dozen pitfalls.
- Support local farmers at markets where you can actually ask about their spraying schedule. Many small-scale farmers use organic practices but aren't "certified organic" because the paperwork is too expensive.
At the end of the day, eating fruit is better than not eating fruit. Period. Just be smart about which ones you choose to splurge on when it comes to that organic label.