Story has been updated to include statements from the California Strawberry Commission (CSC) and The Alliance for Food and Farming (AFF) 
 
 Continue Reading Below 
 
 Just in time for summer, too. 
 
 Strawberries have officially replaced apples as the most pesticide-ridden produce. 
 
 According to the 2016 Environmental Working Group’s (EWG) Shopper’s Guide, nearly all “conventional” strawberry samples—about 98%—tested by federal officials had detectable pesticide residues. In addition to that, 40% of all strawberries had residues of 10 or more pesticides detected. 
 
 “It is startling to see how heavily strawberries are contaminated with residues of hazardous pesticides, but even more shocking is that these residues don’t violate the weak U.S. laws and regulations on pesticides in food,” said Sonya Lunder, EWG senior analyst. 
 
 Some of the chemicals detected on strawberries are linked to cancer, reproductive and developmental damage, hormone disruption and neurological problems, according to the nonprofit environmental research organization. Strawberries were once a seasonal crop, but with the heavy use of pesticides, yields grew stretching the fruit’s growing season. 
 
 Continue Reading Below ADVERTISEMENT 
 
 California is the nation’s leading producer of strawberries. In 2014, more than 2.3 billion pounds of strawberries were harvested. According to the California Department of Food and Agriculture, strawberries are the fifth most valuable fruit crop produced in California with an estimated value of approximately $2.6 billion. 
 
 EWG reports that each acre in California is treated with an astonishing 300 pounds of pesticides. More than 60 pounds are conventional chemicals that “may leave post-harvest residues” but most are fumigants—poisonous gases that can drift into nearby schools and neighborhoods. 
 
 “The EPA’s levels of residues allowed on produce are too lax to protect Americans’ health. They should be updated to reflect new research that shows even very small doses of toxic chemicals can be harmful, particularly for young children,” adds Lunder. 
 
 Over the last year, strawberries have climbed the "Dirty Dozen" charts, going from No. 4 in 2015 to the top spot in 2016, replacing apples, who have held the position for five years in a row. 
 
 The Alliance for Food and Farming, an agribusiness group representing the bulk of conventional farmers in California, says they're not surprised strawberries made the top of the list this year. 
 
 "We even predicted it since media coverage of the Dirty Dozen list has fallen dramatically in the last five years and reached an all-time low last year," says Marilyn Dolan, AFF executive director. 
 
 The California Strawberry Commission (CSC) also said in a statement that "it should be noted that the authors of this list actually named conventionally grown strawberries as a 'best food' in a report published in October 2014. 
 
 EWG created the Dirty Dozen list to inform and guide consumers on the top 12 fruits and vegetables with the highest pesticide loads. 
 
 On the other hand, avocados remain at the top of EWG’s "Clean Fifteen," with less than 1% of samples showing any detectable pesticides. 
 
 “Fruits and vegetables are important for your health,” says Lunder. “But for those on the Dirty Dozen, we recommend buying the organic versions if you want to avoid pesticides on your food.” 
 
 EWG has been releasing The Shopper’s Guide to Pesticides in Produce every year since 2004. Their analysis is based on results of more than 35,200 samples tested by the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the Food and Drug Administration. 
 
 EWG’s 2016 Dirty Dozen List 
 
 
 
 1.Strawberries 
 
 2.Apples 
 
 3.Nectarines 
 
 4.Peaches 
 
 5.Celery 
 
 6.Grapes 
 
 7.Cherries 
 
 8.Spinach 
 
 9.Tomatoes 
 
 10.Bell peppers 
 
 11.Cherry tomatoes 
 
 12.Cucumbers 
 
 The Clean Fifteen 
 
 
 
 1.Avocados 
 
 2.Corn 
 
 3.Pineapples 
 
 4.Cabbage 
 
 5.Sweet Peas 
 
 6.Onions 
 
 7.Asparagus 
 
 8.Mangoes 
 
 9.Papayas 
 
 10.Kiwis 
 
 11.Eggplant 
 
 12.Honeydew 
 
 13.Grapefruit 
 
 14.Cantaloupe 
 
 15.Cauliflower 
 
 

 SANTA MARIA, Calif. - 
 
 On behalf of the conventional and organic farmers we represent, the California Strawberry Commission (CSC) reiterates that health experts everywhere agree that consumers should eat more fruits and vegetables, like strawberries, every day for better health and a longer life. 
 
 Further, the science clearly shows that organic and conventional strawberries are safe to eat and pesticide residues do not pose a safety concern. 
 
 In fact, an analysis from a toxicologist with the University of California's Personal Chemical Exposure Program found that residues on strawberries are so low, if present at all, that a child could literally eat 1,508 servings of strawberries in a day and still not have any effects from residues. 
 
 Regarding today's release of the so-called "dirty dozen" list, it should be noted that the authors of this list actually named conventionally grown strawberries as a "best food" in a report published in October 2014. The list authors recommend people consume more of these "best foods," for better health, including conventionally grown strawberries. 
 
 The CSC encourages those interested in learning more about pesticide residues on food to read the actual USDA Pesticide Data Program report the "dirty dozen" authors state they base their list upon. Among the key findings: "Residues do not pose a safety concern." 
 
 Strawberries are considered a nutrient dense food, and are high in Vitamin C, a good source of fiber, plus provide essential potassium, folate, and antioxidants. 
 
 While there are numerous studies showing the health benefits of eating berries, including improved brain and cardiovascular health, a new study found that strawberry consumption may also positively impact insulin response in the body. 
 
 Insulin response can be a factor in the development of type 2 diabetes. 
 
 Strawberries are also one of the most popular fruits among kids. Since this popular fruit is now available year-round, moms can feed their kids healthy and delicious strawberries anytime. 
 
 For more information about California strawberries, visit californiastrawberries.com. For more information about the safety of organic and conventional fruits and vegetables visit safefruitsandveggies.com. 

 TIME Health For more, visit TIME Health 
 
 Strawberries replaced apples atop the list of fruits and vegetables with the highest level of pesticide residue, according to a new report. 
 
 The report, compiled by the Environmental Working Group (EWG), is based on an analysis of tests of more than 35,000 samples of fruits and vegetables conducted by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). Apples still rank in second place—after five years in the top spot—followed by nectarines, peaches, celery, grapes, cherries, spinach, tomatoes, red peppers, cherry tomatoes, cucumbers, hot peppers and kale/collard greens. 
 
 The switch at the top follows a European ban on the pesticide diphenylamine that likely also affected U.S. supplies, according to EWG Senior Analyst Sonya Lunder. The U.S.D.A. also released new data on strawberries in time for this year’s ranking that helped catapult the fruit to the top spot. In total, 98% of strawberries tested had some form of pesticide residue. 
 
 “It’s important to remember that conventional agriculture relies heavily on insecticide,” says Lunder. And “There’s some systematic differences between crops, with some having many pesticides and others being consistently clean.” 
 
 People who want to avoid pesticides in the fruits and vegetables at the top of the EWG’s ranking should buy organic produce, according to Lunder. Federal regulations restrict the use of certain kinds of pesticides in organic farming.
– Strawberries are packed with fiber, Vitamin C, and potassium—and they've usually got some pesticide, too. In fact, 98% of strawberries tested by the USDA had some form of pesticide residue, a distinction that earned the fruit the top spot on the Environmental Working Group's annual Dirty Dozen list, Time reports. Sonya Lunder, a senior analyst for the group, says the level of contamination for strawberries is "startling," adding, "but even more shocking is that these residues don’t violate the weak US laws," Fox Business reports. The California Strawberry Commission points out in a statement that the USDA report from which the Dirty Dozen is drawn states that pesticide residue is not a safety concern. A different analysis, it adds, indicates "a child could literally eat 1,508 servings of strawberries in a day and still not have any effects from residues." The EWG suggests selecting organic options when purchasing produce that appears on the Dirty Dozen list, which includes nectarines, celery, and tomatoes. Apples took the No. 2 spot this year after having led the list for the past five years. The Alliance for Food and Farming, an agribusiness group, suggests to Fox that strawberries were intentionally put in the top spot to generate headlines, "since media coverage of the Dirty Dozen list has fallen dramatically." Along with the Dirty Dozen, the EWG released its Clean Fifteen, featuring fruits and vegetables that are least likely to be contaminated with pesticide residue. Avocados are deemed the cleanest, with just 1% of the samples testing positive. Also on the clean list: pineapple, asparagus, and cantaloupe. (This pesticide maker is phasing out chemicals that harm bees.)