Safety / Pesticide ResiduePesticides used in fruit and vegetable production are regulated by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The regulatory process defines legally acceptable levels of pesticide residues on produce. When pesticides are used according to the label and pre-harvest intervals on the label are followed, residues of each pesticide should be below the level set by the EPA. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) monitors pesticide residues and finds that "...levels of pesticide residue found in the U.S. food supply are generally below safety limits set by the Environmental Protection Agency." For a thorough discussion of how pesticides are regulated and how allowed levels are determined, see the publication "Pesticides and Food Safety" (12 pages) (html format or pdf format) or "Pesticides and Human Health Risk Assessment" (84 pages, pdf format, 7310K).Some pesticides that are no longer used on fruits and vegetable remain in the environment and can contaminate produce while it is being grown or transported to market. The FDA establishes 'action levels' for this unavoidable pesticide residue on food. These 'action levels' serve as guidelines to help the FDA determine whether further action should be taken following the identification of a pesticide residue on a fruit or vegetable for which that pesticide is not registered. On-line Resources(Free Acrobat Reader software is required to view pdf files)Midwest Vegetable Production Guide -- Includes preharvest intervals for insecticides, fungicides and herbicides registered on vegetables. Pesticides and Food: What you and your family need to know -- EPA primer on pesticide regulation, pesticide tolerances, integrated pest management, and minimizing exposure to pesticides from food. Includes a search function to find all pesticide tolerances for any crop. The Complete Book of Pesticide Management: Science, Regulation, Stewardship and Communication -- This link will take you to a description of this recently published book edited by Fred Whitford, Purdue Pesticide Programs Director. Ordering information is included. FDA Pesticide Program Residue Monitoring -- Summary of Residue Testing performed by FDA. Pesticides, Metals, Chemical Contaminants & Natural Toxins -- Information from FDA on these contaminants in food. Pesticide Tolerances -- EPA source for information on levels of pesticides allowed on food, known as tolerances. Action Levels for Poisonous or Deleterious Substances in Human Food and Animal Feed -- FDA guidance listing 'action levels' for various materials, including some pesticides that are no longer used. Other Sites with Information Related to Pesticide Safety and RegulationPurdue Pesticide Programs |
Content author: E. Maynard, 2002. Content last modified: January 2012.