Potatoes Added to 'Dirty Dozen' List Over Herbicide Ban

Concerns over pesticide residues prompt health advocates to include potatoes on annual list.

Mar. 29, 2026 at 3:54pm

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The Environmental Working Group has added potatoes to its annual 'Dirty Dozen' list of produce with the highest levels of pesticide residues, citing the use of a controversial herbicide that is banned in the European Union but still allowed in the United States.

Why it matters

The 'Dirty Dozen' list is a widely referenced guide that helps consumers make informed choices about which fruits and vegetables to buy organic in order to minimize exposure to potentially harmful pesticides. The inclusion of potatoes, a dietary staple, raises concerns about the safety of the U.S. food supply.

The details

The herbicide at the center of the issue is chlorpropham, which is used to inhibit sprouting in stored potatoes. While the EU banned the chemical in 2020 over health and environmental concerns, it is still permitted for use on U.S. potato crops. The Environmental Working Group argues that the presence of chlorpropham residues on potatoes warrants their addition to the 'Dirty Dozen' list, which also includes strawberries, spinach, and other produce.

  • The Environmental Working Group released its annual 'Dirty Dozen' list on March 29, 2026.
  • The European Union banned the use of the herbicide chlorpropham in 2020.

The players

Environmental Working Group

A non-profit organization that focuses on research and advocacy around public health and environmental issues, including the annual 'Dirty Dozen' list of produce with high pesticide residues.

European Union

A political and economic union of 27 member states that banned the use of the herbicide chlorpropham in 2020 over health and environmental concerns.

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What they’re saying

“Potatoes are a dietary staple, and consumers deserve to know that they may be exposing their families to a toxic chemical when they eat them.”

— Alexis Temkin, Toxicologist, Environmental Working Group

What’s next

The Environmental Working Group is calling on the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to follow the EU's lead and ban the use of chlorpropham on potato crops.

The takeaway

The addition of potatoes to the 'Dirty Dozen' list highlights the ongoing debate over pesticide use in U.S. agriculture and the need for stronger regulations to protect public health and the environment.