Potatoes Added to 'Dirty Dozen' List Over Banned Herbicide

The popular vegetable now tops health group's annual list of produce with high pesticide residues.

Mar. 29, 2026 at 1:50pm

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The Environmental Working Group has added potatoes to its 'Dirty Dozen' list of produce with high levels of pesticide residues, citing the presence of the herbicide chlorpropham, which has been banned in Europe since 2019 but is still approved for use in the United States.

Why it matters

The Dirty Dozen list aims to inform consumers about which fruits and vegetables may contain higher levels of potentially harmful pesticides, allowing them to make more informed choices about their produce purchases. The inclusion of potatoes, a dietary staple for many Americans, raises concerns about the widespread use of chlorpropham and its potential health impacts.

The details

According to the EWG, 90% of potato samples tested positive for chlorpropham, even after being washed and scrubbed. Chlorpropham is used to prevent potatoes from sprouting after harvest, but studies have found that washing and peeling potatoes does not fully remove the chemical. While the US EPA has approved the use of chlorpropham, it has been banned in Europe since 2019 due to concerns over potential blood and endocrine disorders.

  • Chlorpropham was first registered for use in the United States in 1962.
  • The European Union banned the use of chlorpropham in 2019.

The players

Environmental Working Group (EWG)

A health advocacy group that publishes an annual 'Dirty Dozen' list of produce with high pesticide residues, based on data from the US Department of Agriculture.

Dr. Cory Fisher

A family medicine physician at the Cleveland Clinic who commented on the health concerns surrounding chlorpropham.

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What they’re saying

“'There is no consensus on risk at this time. Chlorpropham has been banned in Europe since 2019, but the US EPA does not hold the same position, and its use has been approved in America. The major concerns center mainly around blood and endocrine disorders.'”

— Dr. Cory Fisher, Family Medicine Physician, Cleveland Clinic

“'The best option is to choose organic potatoes, which should contain no chemicals like chlorpropham ... or start a garden and grow your own. Exposure to soil bacteria has been proven to reduce depression and regular gardening can reduce cardiovascular risk by 35%! Win-win!'”

— Dr. Cory Fisher, Family Medicine Physician, Cleveland Clinic

What’s next

The EPA will likely review the use of chlorpropham in the United States in light of the European ban and the inclusion of potatoes on the Dirty Dozen list.

The takeaway

The addition of potatoes to the Dirty Dozen list highlights the ongoing concerns about the widespread use of pesticides in agriculture and the potential health impacts, even for common and widely consumed vegetables. This development may prompt consumers to seek out organic options or consider growing their own produce to reduce exposure to potentially harmful chemicals.