Legacy media still wants to scare with the Dirty Dozen 

Every year when the Environmental Working Group releases its Dirty Dozen list, we look at how legacy media covers the release.

We typically see scare-type stories because media knows that gets attention. This year there’s no shortage of that. But each year, we seem to see more media outlets ignore it, since it’s nonsense that discourages fruit and vegetable consumption. 

Last week the EWG released its list, and that same day the Alliance for Food and Farming released a counter argument, calling the list gimmicky pseudo-science that promotes organic produce over conventional.  

The AFF’s Teresa Thorne told Blue Book June 13 that she had provided comments to many legacy media outlets, including CNN, Everyday Health, Detroit News Press, and ABC 30 in Fresno. 

“So far, media coverage is the lowest ever experienced,” Thorne said. “Day-one coverage, where we normally see the highest amount of coverage, was down 46 percent over 2024. And 2024 was the second lowest year of coverage. More notable is that day-one coverage this year was 17 percent lower than 2020, which was the lowest year ever.”  

She also said social media is following the mainstream trend with fewer postings and sharing. 

It’s worth noting a few of the coverage examples, so you can see how generally bad and misleading they are. 

CNN which eagerly anticipates the annual list, goes heavy on EWG rhetoric about the superiority of an organic produce diet and frightening readers about pesticides. 

As Thorne said, CNN did contact her, and she said government data and nutrition research for decades have shown the benefits of eating fruits and vegetables, whether organic or conventional. 

People magazine online went with heavy scare tactics. “The 12 produce items — dubbed the ‘Dirty Dozen’ — are reportedly loaded with toxins, including some that are banned in Europe,” it said. 

The New York Post told readers, “High produce intake is associated with everything from better heart health, skin and vision, cognitive function, cancer prevention and weight management. 

“However, when it comes to toxic chemicals, not all produce is created equal. To “detox” your fruits and veggies from harmful chemicals, experts recommend using apple cider vinegar or simply rinsing them under warm water, without using soap.” 

The FDA recommends washing produce with cold or warm water and says do not use soap or detergents, despite what these so-called “experts” recommend. 

Food & Wine was more balanced but still decided to scare readers, saying, “Fruits and vegetables are the MVPs of your diet thanks to their vitamins, minerals, and health-boosting nutrients. However, despite their impressive nutritional profiles, some produce carry high concentrations of pesticide residue that can negate those benefits. 

“Although water does not eliminate all pesticide residue, [EWG’s Alexis] Temkin says it significantly decreases the amount of pesticides while also removing dirt, debris, and potentially harmful bacteria.” 

Amazon on MSN relied on shock-and-awe with a headline asking, “Are Your Healthy Foods Poisoning You?”

“A shocking new report has revealed that two of America’s favorite foods—blackberries and potatoes—are now loaded with harmful pesticides linked to autism, hormone disruption, and even cancer. The Environmental Working Group’s Dirty Dozen 2025 list highlights just how toxic some ‘healthy’ foods have become. Find out which chemicals were detected, why they’re dangerous, and how you can protect yourself and your family by making smarter food choices. Don’t miss this eye-opening breakdown!” 

And the worst one I found was a short video from WooGlobe on MSN, titled “Are your healthy foods poisoning you?”  

On the balanced side was Eating Well posted by AOL, which quotes a dietitian who basically says the benefits of eating fruits and vegetables far outweigh any negatives from pesticide residues. If a household can afford organic produce, that’s great, but if not, get it any way you can.  

I did not find any coverage of the Dirty Dozen from the Associated Press, Wall Street Journal, or on Fox News.