USDA Releases Pesticide Data; Results Prove No Safety Concern

Overall pesticide chemical residues found on foods tested are at levels below the tolerances established by the Environmental Protection Agency and do not pose a safety concern, according to the latest data from the 2012 USDA Pesticide Data Program. Based on the data, 99 percent of products sampled through Pesticide Data Program had residues below the EPA tolerances, while residues exceeding the tolerance were detected in 0.53 percent of the samples tested. Each year, USDA and EPA work together to identify foods to be tested on a rotating basis. In 2012, surveys were conducted on a variety of foods including fresh and processed fruits and vegetables, wheat, butter, and water. Learn more or review the report.