Every year, the Environmental Working Group releases its list of top offenders when it comes to pesticides on fruits and vegetables. CNN’s Meg Tirrell asks experts about how to use the list and properly wash your produce at home.

A recent analysis by the Environmental Working Group (EWG) found that about three-quarters of non-organic produce samples still contained pesticide residues after washing. The EWG annually ranks fruits and vegetables based on pesticide residue levels, with strawberries frequently topping the list. Experts note that tender produce and items grown close to the ground are more likely to retain pesticides, and children may be particularly vulnerable to exposure.

To help consumers reduce pesticide intake, experts recommend prioritizing organic options for produce known to have higher residue levels, while noting that the market is responding with more affordable organic choices. Regardless of whether produce is organic or conventional, thorough washing under running water is advised, even for items with peels, to reduce both pesticide and bacterial contamination. Special washes are not shown to be more effective than water.

Researchers say some produce carries more pesticides than others

We all need to eat more fruits and vegetables. Yummy pineapple, yum, yum, yum. And that's especially true for our kids. But we also know that they're grown with pesticides. In fact, a new study found that about three-quarters of non-organic produce still had pesticide residues even after washing. We learned three key facts to keep in mind. Some fruits and vegetables carry more pesticides than others. Strawberries have sort of been at the top of the list for a little while. That list comes from the Environmental Working Group, which each year uses data from the U.S. Department of Agriculture to figure out which non-organic fresh fruits and veggies have the most pesticide residue left after a quick wash. A lot of these are very tender fruits and vegetables that don't have a hard casing that you might peel. And they also are very close to the ground or in other ways need a lot of pesticides in order to be grown properly. Sandy Lamott is a longtime food and nutrition writer for CNN. Studies have shown that pesticides have been linked to heart disease, cancer. I mean, the list goes on and on. Sandy points out that children's little bodies can be especially vulnerable as they're soaking up nutrients for growth and brain development. I'd love to buy my kids all organic, but that's expensive. So there is a more affordable way to think about it. First, consider what your family enjoys eating. Then compare that to fruits and vegetables that are high in pesticides. You might want to choose organic for just those. I think consumer desire for organic has been driving the market to provide more and more organic choices. And that might mean, in some cases, that there is a lowering of prices. The EWG also lists the produce with the least pesticide residue. Looking at the Clean 15, which have nearly 60 percent of samples with no detectable residues, is a way for consumers to balance that, you know, getting a lot of fruits and vegetables in their diet without compromising on pesticide exposure. No matter what, wash, wash, wash. It doesn't get rid of all the residue, but it helps if you do it right. EWG's Alexis Temkin says special washes have not been shown to help. And even if you got something with a peel, you should still wash it. So you know, a banana or a mango or a lemon, it's a good thing to wash that before because there can also be bacterial contamination on the outside of these fruits and vegetables that, you know, if you cut into it, can get on either the inside of the fruit or vegetable or the knife. Here's how you do it. Wash the fruit or vegetable under running water for 15 to 20 seconds. Aren't you glad you're watching this? You can also soak them in water, but be sure to lift the fruit or veggie up out of the water instead of dumping it all back in together. Here's a safety tip everybody forgets. Wash your own hands before you wash your produce.

Prime Minister Mark Carney announced that Canada will recognize a Palestinian state later this year if the Palestinian Authority, which governs parts of the West Bank, meets certain conditions.

Ottawa

Middle East Conflict

Canada to recognize Palestinian state in September if conditions met

Australia said on Wednesday (July 30) it will add YouTube to sites covered by its world-first ban on social media for teenagers, reversing an earlier decision to exempt the Alphabet-owned video-sharing site and potentially setting up a legal challenge.

Canberra

Australia expands teen social media ban to YouTube

President Donald Trump said on Wednesday (July 30) the United States will impose a 25% tariff on goods imported from India, as well as an unspecified penalty for buying Russian weapons and oil, on Aug. 1.

Washington

Global Tariffs

Trump says U.S. to hit India with 25% tariff starting August 1

Mourners flooded the streets of Birmingham to celebrate the life of rock-and-roll legend Ozzy Osbourne during his funeral procession in the United Kingdom. Mark Savage, a music reporter at the BBC, a CBS News partner, joins with more details.

Birmingham

Ozzy Osbourne fans flood Birmingham streets to mourn late music icon

U.S. President Donald Trump told reporters before departing from Scotland that Jeffrey Epstein poached workers from his Mar-a-Lago spa. Trump mentioned Virginia Giuffre, one of Epstein's most vocal accusers, in his latest remarks.

Trump says Epstein 'stole' young women from Mar-a-Lago spa

Owdeh Hathaleen, a 31-year‑old Palestinian activist, teacher, and filmmaker behind the Oscar-winning documentary No Other Land, was shot dead by an Israeli settler near the village of Umm al‑Khair in the South Hebron Hills.

Jerusalem

Palestinian activist killed by Israeli settler in West Bank

A powerful magnitude 8.8 earthquake off Russia's Far Eastern Kamchatka Peninsula triggered tsunami waves of up to 16 feet nearby, and sparked evacuation orders in Japan, Hawaii and across the Pacific on Wednesday (July 30).

Hawaii

Tsunami reaches Hawaii after huge quake shakes Russia's Far East

The U.N. General Assembly brought high-level officials together to promote a two-state solution to the decades-old Israel-Palestinian conflict. Israel and the United States are boycotting the two-day meeting, co-chaired by the foreign ministers of France and Saudi Arabia

New York

Israel and U.S. boycott UN Summit for two-state solution

With numerous countries facing an Aug. 1 trade agreement deadline, officials in the Trump administration say China could get an extension while negotiations continue.

Trump officials suggest potential tariff truce with China

Police say the man who shot and killed four people in a New York City office building before he took his own life had a "documented mental health history." Mayor Eric Adams says he may have been targeting the National Football League (NFL).

Manhattan gunman had 'documented mental health history'

Jeffrey Epstein-associate Ghislaine Maxwell is offering to testify before Congress in exchange for concessions like full immunity. CBS News Department of Justice reporter Jake Rosen has more.

Ghislaine Maxwell offers to testify before Congress

Prime Minister Keir Starmer said on Tuesday (July 29) Britain was prepared to recognize a Palestinian state in September at the United Nations General Assembly unless Israel takes a number of steps to improve life for Palestinians.

London

UK to recognize Palestinian state unless Israel takes action

Russia launched overnight air strikes on over 70 Ukrainian cities, killing more than 20 people, according to President Zelenskyy. A pregnant woman died near a hospital in the southeast, while a prison strike killed at least 17.

Kyiv

Ukraine Invasion

Deadly Russian air raids hit Ukraine as Trump warns of sanctions

For the first time, human rights groups inside Israel are accusing their own government of committing genocide in Gaza. Israel insists it is targeting Hamas, not civilians—despite nearly 60,000 Palestinian deaths since the war began almost two years ago.

Rights groups in Israel accuse country of genocide

As Gaza’s crisis worsens, France is advocating for a two-state solution at a UN conference co-chaired by the French foreign minister. The meeting follows President Macron’s announcement that France will formally recognize a Palestinian state in September.

France leads UN talks on Israel-Palestine two-state solution

Former Colombian President Álvaro Uribe was found guilty of bribery and witness tampering in an unprecedented trial that has shaken the country.

Bogotá

Ex-Colombian president Uribe convicted of witness tampering, bribery

Russian Security Council Deputy Chairman Dmitry Medvedev posted on social media that President Trump's deadline push for a ceasefire with Ukraine is "a threat and a step towards war."

Moscow

Russian official calls Trump's ceasefire deadline 'a threat'

Ukraine says Russia's overnight air strikes hit a prison in Zaporizhzhia in the southeast, killing at least 17 people. Another 35 were injured. Authorities say the attacks destroyed the jail buildings and damaged several nearby houses.

Zaporizhzhia

Russian air strikes hit a prison in Ukraine's Zaporizhzhia, 17 killed

Russia launched yet another attack on Ukraine overnight, with more than 300 drones and seven missiles. While most of the barrage was intercepted, the attacks prompted President Trump to give his Russian counterpart an ultimatum.

Trump gives Putin new deadline to end Ukraine war

A gunman killed at least one police officer and shot a handful of other people Monday in the heart of New York City. CBS News New York has the latest details.

Gunman kills police officer, wounds others in Midtown Manhattan

The suspect in the Michigan Walmart stabbing attack that injured 11 people over the weekend pleaded not guilty Monday to terrorism and assault charges.

Traverse City

Suspect pleads not guilty in Walmart stabbing attack

The U.S. Department of Justice says it took down child abuse websites that had more than 120,000 members and contained millions of files. CBS News' Scott MacFarlane explains how the arrest of one suspect nicknamed "Boss" was a huge priority for the FBI.

U.S. Justice Dept. shuts down four child abuse websites

Five people, including security guards, were killed by a gunman at Bangkok's Or Tor Kor market on Monday. The shooter, who injured two others, later killed himself, according to authorities.

Bangkok

Gunman kills five at busy Bangkok fresh food market

Thailand and Cambodia have agreed to an “unconditional” ceasefire starting at midnight, Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said on July 28, a significant breakthrough to resolve five days of deadly border clashes.

Kuala Lumpur

Thailand and Cambodia agree to ceasefire

Truckloads of food reached hungry Gazans on July 28 after Israel promised to open secure aid routes, but humanitarian agencies warned vast amounts more were needed to stave off starvation.

Food arrives in Gaza after Israel pauses some fighting

Top U.S. and Chinese economic officials will resume talks in Stockholm to try to tackle longstanding economic disputes at the center of a trade war, aiming to extend a truce by three months and keeping high tariffs at bay.

Stockholm

U.S.-China trade truce extension seen, may ease way for Trump-Xi meet

A train derailment in southern Germany killed at least three people and injured others. The cause is under investigation, with weather possibly a factor.

Riedlingen

German train derails, killing at least three people

Israel has agreed to limit fighting in parts of Gaza and would allow more aid into the region, but both moves are facing criticism for being too little too late.

Israel announces daily pauses in Gaza fighting as aid trickles in

Abnormally high temperatures combined with heat and drought have fuelled destructive wildfires in parts of Europe, forcing thousands to be evacuated.

Athens

Heat fuels destructive wildfires in parts of Europe

Michigan officials say they will file terrorism charges and 11 charges of assault with intent to murder against the man who allegedly carried out a knife attack at a Walmart on Saturday. Lana Zak reports.

Breakdown