USDA Reports Residues Rare

From Fruitgrower News, February 2001.

The incidence of multiple pesticide residues on produce is low, according to a recent report from the USDA pesticide residue-monitoring program. The Pesticide Data Program (PDP) reports that few produce samples show evidence of multiple pesticide residues, while a typical piece of fresh produce will show one or two residues within legal tolerances.

The findings of the program, released in January 2001, show residue levels are low with few outside of legal tolerances. The report found that few produce items could be described as hot, or contaminated with multiple residues. Of the 9,125 samples collected and analyzed in 1999, about 67% of the fruit and vegetable samples had at least one pesticide residue. The report said post-harvest applications accounted for 18% of the residue detected in fresh and processed fruit and vegetables. Approximately 80% of samples tested were domestic, 20% imported (including those of mixed national origin), and 0.6% of unknown origin, according to the report.

Residues exceeding the tolerance were found in only 0.3% of the samples tested during 1999. Residues with no tolerance listed in the Code of Federal Regulations, Title 40, Part 180, were found in 3.7% of the samples. All were in fruit and vegetables. Residues of pesticides, when found on the tested foods, were generally below tolerance levels. For the most recent progress report from PDP go to http://www.ams.usda.gov:80/science/pdp/progress.htm

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Co-Editors: Bill Hutchison, Department of Entomology, University of Minnesota, hutch002@tc.umn.edu
Jeanne Ciborowski, IPM Program, Minnesota Department of Agriculture, jeanne.ciborowski@state.mn.us
Cindy Tong, Department of Horticulture, University of Minnesota, c-tong@tc.umn.edu
Production Editor: Suzanne Wold, Department of Entomology, University of Minnesota, woldx018@tc.umn.edu

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Last Revised February 22, 2001.
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