Washington, DC–(ENEWSPF)–October 23, 2015. Tests on produce collected by California’s Department of Pesticide Regulation (CDPR) for 2014 show high levels of illegal toxic pesticide residues. The CDPR report found 1 percent of produce containing an excess amount of pesticide residues, and an additional 5.5 percent of produce tested contained illegal residues of pesticides that are not allowed for use on that product. Additionally, the data shows residues of a banned chemical, which was taken off the market over 20 years in the U.S. due to health concerns related to farmworker exposure. These findings showcase issues related to system-wide failure in enforcement. Advocates stress that violations may continue to occur due to inadequacies in regulations governing enforcement authorities, which include warnings or low fines for violators. In raising concerns about the safety of food grown with chemical-intensive methods, advocates point to the need to expand the transition to organic agriculture for better protection of public health and safety.
