Business
Spinach Tops Pesticide-Heavy Produce as PFAS ‘Forever Chemicals’ Detected
The Environmental Working Group on Tuesday released its annual 2026 Shopper’s Guide to Pesticides in Produce, with spinach claiming the top spot on the Dirty Dozen list of fruits and vegetables carrying the highest levels of pesticide residues. Nearly 96% of samples from the 12 items tested positive for pesticides, and more than 60% contained traces of PFAS — the so-called “forever chemicals” — marking the first time the advocacy organization has highlighted their widespread presence in the Dirty Dozen.
The report, based on the most recent U.S. Department of Agriculture testing data, analyzed 47 popular fruits and vegetables. It found a total of 203 different pesticides across the Dirty Dozen items, with samples averaging four or more pesticides each — except potatoes, which averaged two. The findings come as consumer awareness of pesticide exposure grows, particularly among parents and those seeking to reduce potential health risks for children.
Here is the complete 2026 Dirty Dozen list, ranked from most to least contaminated according to EWG’s methodology, which now incorporates not only the amount and number of pesticides but also their relative toxicity:
- Spinach — Carried more pesticide residue by weight than any other produce tested, with an average of four or more different pesticides per sample.
- Kale, collard and mustard greens — More than half of kale samples contained a possibly cancer-causing pesticide, and the group as a whole showed traces of over 100 different pesticides in some tests.
- Strawberries — A perennial favorite that remains heavily contaminated, with nearly all samples testing positive for multiple residues.
- Grapes — Thin skins make them especially susceptible to absorbing sprays.
- Nectarines
- Peaches
- Cherries
- Apples
- Blackberries
- Pears
- Potatoes
- Blueberries — Newly prominent this year alongside mentions of green beans joining the broader high-residue group.
EWG senior scientist Dr. Olga Naidenko emphasized that the list is designed to help consumers reduce exposure without discouraging fruit and vegetable consumption. “Eating plenty of produce is one of the best things you can do for your health,” she said in a statement accompanying the release. “The guide simply helps you choose options with fewer pesticides when possible.”
For the first time, the 2026 analysis specifically flagged PFAS pesticides appearing on more than 60% of Dirty Dozen samples. These persistent chemicals, linked to health concerns including cancer, immune system disruption and developmental issues, have drawn increasing regulatory scrutiny. The report also noted that certain pesticides banned or heavily restricted in the European Union continue to appear on U.S. produce.
Critics, including some in the produce industry, argue that the Dirty Dozen list overstates risks because residues are typically well below safety thresholds set by the Environmental Protection Agency. They point out that the EPA evaluates pesticides based on lifetime exposure levels and that washing and peeling produce further reduces residues. The industry maintains that conventional farming practices are safe and necessary to meet global food demand.
EWG counters that its methodology accounts for the number, frequency and toxicity of detected chemicals, including potential effects on children and pregnant women. The organization has published the guide annually since 2004, using USDA and FDA testing data that simulates how consumers prepare produce at home — after washing but without always peeling.
Shoppers seeking to minimize exposure have several practical options. Buying organic versions of Dirty Dozen items can significantly reduce pesticide intake, though organic produce is not entirely pesticide-free and costs more. For budget-conscious families, prioritizing organic for the top items on the list while choosing conventional Clean Fifteen produce offers a balanced approach.
The guide also provides tips for washing produce more effectively, though EWG notes that no household method removes all residues. Thorough rinsing under running water, using a brush on firm items like potatoes and apples, and removing outer leaves of leafy greens can help.
Health experts generally agree that the nutritional benefits of eating fruits and vegetables far outweigh potential risks from pesticide residues at current levels. The American Academy of Pediatrics and other organizations recommend maximizing intake of produce while supporting policies that reduce overall pesticide use in agriculture.
The 2026 release arrives amid broader discussions about food safety, sustainable farming and the long-term environmental impact of chemical pesticides. Consumer demand for organic and regeneratively grown produce has grown steadily, pressuring retailers and growers to adapt.
For parents, the list often serves as a practical shopping tool. Many report using the Dirty Dozen as a checklist when planning family meals or packing school lunches. Pediatricians sometimes reference the guide when counseling families on reducing children’s exposure to potential endocrine disruptors and neurotoxic compounds.
EWG’s full report, available for free on its website, includes detailed breakdowns for each item on the Dirty Dozen and Clean Fifteen, along with historical trends and methodology explanations. The organization also offers a mobile app and printable guides to help shoppers at the grocery store.
As spring produce seasons begin in many parts of the country, the timing of the 2026 guide provides timely advice for consumers stocking up on fresh fruits and vegetables. Whether shopping at farmers markets, supermarkets or big-box stores, the Dirty Dozen and Clean Fifteen continue to influence purchasing decisions for millions of Americans seeking to eat healthier with fewer chemicals.
While debate over the scientific interpretation of residue data persists, the guide’s enduring popularity underscores public interest in transparency about what ends up on dinner plates. EWG plans to continue updating the analysis each year as new testing data becomes available.
In the meantime, nutritionists offer a simple takeaway: eat more fruits and vegetables, choose organic for the highest-residue items when feasible, and focus on variety and enjoyment rather than perfection.
President Donald Trump sits down with FOX Business’ Maria Bartiromo to discuss escalating Middle East tensions, his warning to Iran on nuclear weapons and why he believes gas prices will drop ahead of the midterms.
High gas prices continue to squeeze small businesses across the U.S., but cutting one costly habit could help owners save significantly.
New data from Ford Pro, the commercial vehicle division of Ford Motor Company, shows that unnecessary idling — leaving a car running while parked — can cost fleet operators thousands of dollars each year, cutting directly into margins at a time when fuel prices remain high.
According to the U.S. Department of Energy, the average fleet vehicle idles between one and two hours per day, burning up to two gallons of fuel daily per vehicle. With gas prices rising, those costs can add up quickly.
As of Sunday, the national average price for unleaded gas stood at $4.04, up from $3.88 just a month ago, according to AAA.
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Ford Motor Co. F-150 pickup trucks are displayed at a car dealership in Orland Park, Illinois, on Sept. 27, 2019. (Daniel Acker/Bloomberg via Getty Images / Getty Images)
“You can burn up one to two gallons of gas just doing that,” Matt Krukin, who leads software and digital growth for Ford Pro, told FOX Business. “So if that happens per day… that’s $8 a day that’s idling.”
For businesses operating multiple vehicles, the impact can be substantial. A 20-vehicle fleet idling for two hours a day could waste more than $160 in fuel every day, according to Ford Pro.
Excessive idling is particularly common in North America, where about 29% of fleet vehicles idle unnecessarily, compared to just 10% in Europe, Krukin noted.
To help address the issue, Ford Pro is investing in software and data-driven tools.
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A person pumps gas into a car. (Sean Gallup/Getty Images / Getty Images)
Its newly launched artificial intelligence (AI) assistant allows fleet managers to monitor vehicle behavior in real time, identify inefficiencies and coach drivers to adopt more fuel-efficient habits.
Ford Pro says customers using these tools have seen measurable improvements, including a 52% reduction in idling.
While reducing idling is one of the simplest ways to cut costs, other driving behaviors — such as aggressive acceleration, rapid braking, and speeding — can also increase fuel consumption and wear on vehicles, according to Krukin.
The system can even limit acceleration, while in-cab alerts provide real-time feedback.
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Cars are seen driving on the highway. (Jonas Walzberg/picture alliance via Getty Images / Getty Images)
“It’s like the fleet manager’s right next to them to coach them along the way,” Krukin said.
Users have also seen a 25% drop in speeding, a 16% decrease in hard braking and an 11% reduction in harsh acceleration, according to Ford Pro.
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“We’re not just recommending solutions for the heck of it,” Krukin said. “… At the end of the day, it’s really about bringing it all together, so that these fleets actually get a pleasurable experience with the tools and technology coming together.”
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Business
World Bank Highlights AI Boom as a Bright Spot Amid Slowing Growth in East Asia and the Pacific
Growth across East Asia and the Pacific is losing momentum this year, weighed down by an energy shock, rising trade barriers, and persistent domestic vulnerabilities, but a surge in artificial intelligence-related trade and investment is offering a rare point of optimism, according to the World Bank’s latest regional economic report.
Key takeaways
- AI-related exports and investment surged across East Asia and the Pacific in 2025, with Malaysia, Thailand, and Viet Nam leading the way.
- Regional growth is forecast to slow to 4.2% in 2026, pressured by the Middle East energy shock, trade barriers, and weak domestic demand.
- Closing gaps in connectivity and skills is essential for the region to fully capture the productivity benefits of AI.
Regional growth is projected to slow to 4.2% in 2026, down from 5.0% in 2025, as the energy shock stemming from the Middle East conflict compounds the adverse impact of elevated trade barriers, global policy uncertainty, and domestic economic difficulties.
China, the region’s largest economy, is expected to decelerate from 5.0% growth in 2025 to 4.2% in 2026 and 4.3% in 2027, as weak domestic demand and property sector challenges persist and the global slowdown weighs on exports. The rest of the region is forecast to slow to 4.1% in 2026 before rebounding to 5.0% in 2027 as geopolitical tensions ease.
Against that difficult backdrop, the World Bank’s East Asia and Pacific Economic Update: Industrial Policy in the Digital Age identifies AI as a meaningful bright spot. The report highlights surging AI-related exports and investment in 2025, particularly in Malaysia, Thailand, and Viet Nam, as a notable positive development for the region.
Yet the Bank cautions that the full benefits of AI remain out of reach for much of the region. Adoption is constrained by gaps in connectivity and skills, with only 13 to 17% of multinational subsidiaries in China and Thailand currently using AI, roughly one third of the proportion seen in industrialised countries.
The report also examines how rising energy costs could deepen hardship for ordinary households. A sustained 50% increase in fuel prices could result in a 3 to 4% loss in income for households across the region, with the poor and small and medium enterprises identified as the most vulnerable.
On a longer-term strategy, the update argues that industrial policy, if carefully designed, can help unlock productivity gains. Targeted support for specific industries in the Republic of Korea, Malaysia, and, more recently, Viet Nam proved effective in part because those countries had strengthened their economic foundations, including infrastructure, education, and regulatory institutions, and had liberalised trade and investment. The Bank warns that similar efforts elsewhere have delivered weaker results where those foundations remain fragile.
World Bank Vice President for East Asia and the Pacific Carlos Felipe Jaramillo noted that while the region continues to outperform much of the world, sustaining growth will require confronting structural challenges and seizing the opportunities of the digital age to increase productivity and create more jobs.
World Bank Group Director of Research Aaditya Mattoo cautioned that present difficulties could increase economic distress and inhibit productivity growth, adding that measured support for people and firms could preserve jobs today while reviving stalled structural reforms could unleash growth tomorrow.
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