Environmental Working Group

For every parent who's ever stared at a strawberry wondering if rinsing is really enough: we ranked the most common produce washing methods, backed by 47 peer-reviewed studies.

EWG scientists analyzed 23 produce items and 79 pesticides across those studies because pesticide exposure has been linked to reproductive harm, hormone disruption, cancer and neurotoxicity in children.

Washing produce isn't just about getting rid of dirt, it's also one of the easiest ways to reduce your family's exposure.

Eating plenty of fruits and vegetables, however they're grown, is essential for a healthy diet. And there are simple, effective ways to reduce pesticides on yours.

Want the full breakdown? Check out our Produce Washing Guide: https://ow.ly/v7qU50ZawK2

EWG study (DOI): 10.3389/fenvh.2026.1768399

Most know PFAS, aka “forever chemicals,” as a drinking water issue. But PFAS are also showing up in the pesticides sprayed on everyday fruits and vegetables, and they have been linked to reproductive issues, cancer and other health harms.

California produces more than half of the nation's produce. That means what happens to its food supply is a national concern. New research is also raising alarms about TFA: a breakdown compound from PFAS pesticides that is increasingly detected in wildlife, the environment and people.

AB 1603 – authored by Assemblymember Nick Schultz and cosponsored by Environmental Working Group, Californians for Pesticide Reform, Center for Environmental Health and Pesticide Action Network North America – passed the California Assembly. AB 1603 would stop new approvals of PFAS pesticides and require public disclosure of existing use.

If you live in California, tell your state senators to support AB 1603 and get PFAS pesticides off our produce for good.

Learn more: https://ow.ly/iJZQ50Za9uv

For the first time in over 25 years, a new sunscreen filter has been approved in the U.S. and it's a big deal.

Bemotrizinol (BEMT) has been used in sunscreens across Europe and Asia since 1999. It offers stronger protection against UVA rays, doesn’t break down in the sun and has data to support its safety. Unlike avobenzone, the only other non-mineral filter option in the US to protect against UVA rays, it can even be mixed with mineral filters to provide broad spectrum protection with less concerns about white cast.

Swipe to find out and to understand what BEMT’s approval means for your sunscreen choices going forward.

Learn more about BEMT: https://ow.ly/4z6E50Z9YyR

Big news for your skin: the FDA just approved its first new sunscreen filter in 25 years!

Our peer-reviewed research where we tested 50 U.S. sunscreens found that on average, most only deliver about 24% of the UVA protection their SPF labels imply. This is an issue because UVA rays are associated with skin cancer, premature aging and immune suppression.

But this approval of bemotrizinol (BEMT) changes things. BEMT:
➡️ Provides strong broad-spectrum protection against both UVA & UVB radiation
➡️ Is minimally absorbed through the skin
➡️ Has data to show it is not irritating or sensitizing to the skin and not associated with tumor formation or reproductive harm in animal studies
➡️ Is highly photostable and less likely to break down in the sun
➡️ Can be combined with mineral filters to provide strong broad spectrum protection with less white cast

Today is a major win for public health. BEMT has been used in Europe and Asia since 1999, and EWG has advocated for more UV filter options for Americans since 2019. But the gap isn't closed yet. The U.S. market still lags behind options in other countries.

We’re calling on more sunscreen manufacturers to request FDA approval to bring more safe and effective options to American consumers.

Read our full statement: https://ow.ly/oBOr50Z9raS

If you only put sunscreen on this morning, it’s probably not protecting you all day.

Most people apply a fraction of the recommended amount, skip reapplication or do not realize that sweat, water, towel-drying and everyday movement are quietly stripping your protection throughout the day.

On top of that, UV rays can actually break down non-mineral sunscreen filters over time – dropping your SPF even when it looks and feels the same on your skin.

EWG’s Sunscreen Guide: https://www.ewg.org/sunscreen/report/executive-summary/

Sometimes food labels are so complex it feels like you need a degree in food science just to go grocery shopping, especially if you’re trying to cut down on ultra-processed foods (UPF).

UPF make up nearly 70% of the U.S. food supply and are a leading driver of chronic disease, yet there's still no standard way to identify them on a label. That's starting to change.

More than 40 states have introduced or passed policies to regulate harmful food chemicals. California's AB 2244 would create a first-in-nation government-certified ‘non-ultraprocessed’ label, giving shoppers a simple way to identify less processed foods at a glance.

Healthy eating isn't about perfection. It's about small, manageable shifts that fit your life.

Learn more: https://ow.ly/4nzU50Z6jYA

Your electric bill shouldn’t feel like a shock every month.

A few small changes can make a real difference over time – no major renovations required.

Start here:
⚡️ Adjust the thermostat
⚡️ Swap to LEDs
⚡️ Run appliances off-peak
⚡️ Explore solar options
⚡️ Seal energy leaks

Save this for later before summer temperatures really start to kick in!