Consumer Reports tracks pesticides on produce and has released the results of their research. They say that since the 1960s, some chemicals used on American crops have unacceptable health risks. Some pesticides are banned in the United States, but the government has been slow to act on banning others. And when a chemical is removed from the market, companies and growers may use others that can be just as hazardous to your health. Consumer Reports conducted a comprehensive review of pesticides in food by analyzing seven years of data from the Department of Agriculture. Every year, that agency tests a selection of conventionally grown and organic produce that is grown in the U.S. or imported. CR looked at 59 common fruits and vegetables, including the fresh version, canned, dried, and … [Read more...]
EWG Releases Dirty Dozen List of Produce For 2023
Environmental Working Group (EWG) has published their 2023 guide to the Dirty Dozen list, which is a list of fruits and vegetables that are likely to have the most pesticide residue. The biggest news is that blueberries are back on the list, with traces of several toxic pesticides. Americans are eating three times as many blueberries as 20 years ago, according to that agency. The list is based on analysis of the USDA data, which tests some fruit and vegetable samples. Just under 80% of all blueberry samples tested positive for two or more pesticides, compared to 70% in 2014. One sample of blueberries had up to 17 different pesticide residues. The most problematic pesticides are phosmet and malathion, which are organophosphate insecticides. They can be toxic to the human nervous … [Read more...]
Earth Farms Brussels Sprouts Recalled For Chlorpyrifos
Earth Farms Brussels Sprouts are being recalled for possible Chlorpyrifos contamination that was found by the state of California. Because this recall was posted on the FDA's Enforcement page, and not on the FDA's recall page, there is no information provided about whether or not any adverse reactions have been reported to the company to date. The recalling firm is 4 Earth Farms of Commerce, California. The Brussels sprouts were distributed in these states: California, Connecticut, Florida, Illinois, Arizona, Colorado, Minnesota, New York, Pennsylvania, Kansas, Maryland, Washington, Utah, Texas, New Jersey, Colorado, Canada (Toronto), Wyoming, South Carolina, Maine, Missouri, Alabama, Louisiana, Nevada, Tennessee, North Carolina, Nebraska, Massachusetts, Wisconsin, Oklahoma, … [Read more...]
FDA Releases Pesticide Monitoring Report For Fiscal Year 2020
The FDA has released its pesticide monitoring report for fiscal year 2020 with the news that 96.8% of domestically produced food, and 88.4% of imported food met federal tolerances set by the EPA. From October 1, 2019 to September 30, 2020, the FDA tested for about 75o different pesticides and selected industrial compounds on 2,078 human food samples (316 domestic and 1,762 imported) in the program. The domestic food samples were collected from 35 states and imported human food samples were collected from 79 countries. The maximum residue levels are set by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to protect public health. These tolerances are established on the amount of residue that a food can contain. The domestically produced food group with the highest percentage of violative … [Read more...]
Environmental Working Group Publishes Dirty Dozen Produce List
The Environmental Working Group has published their Dirty Dozen Produce List and their Clean Fifteen list for 2022, with the top 12 fruits and vegetables that are most likely to be contaminated with pesticides and the top 15 that are least likely to be contaminated. The report states that more than 705 of non-organic fresh produce sold in the United States contains residues of potentially harmful pesticides. The guide analyzes the latest test data from the USDA and FDA. It also found that more than 50% of potatoes, spinach, lettuce, and eggplant had detectable levels of at least one of three bee-killing nemonic insecticides that are banned in the EU but still allowed in the U.S. The USDA washes, peels, or scrubs the fruits and vegetables before testing, so those actions will not … [Read more...]
EPA Is Ending the Use of the Pesticide Chlorpyrifos On Food
The EPA is ending the use of the pesticide chlorpyrifos on food, in a final rule that was released August 18, 2021. The decision is a reaction to a court ruling in April 2021 that directed the agency to ban the use of the organophosphate insecticide on food or set new residue levels that are safe for children. If the EPA can't ensure that a pesticide won't hurt children, they must ban it, according to the 1996 Food Quality Protection Act. The final rule revokes all "tolerances" for chlorpyrifos. The agency will also issue a Notice of Intent to Cancel under the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act to cancel registered food uses of chlorpyrifos associated with the revoked tolerances. EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan said in a statement, "Today EPA is taking an … [Read more...]
Environmental Working Group Dirty Dozen Produce Guide Published
Environmental Working Group (EWG) has published their 2020 guide to the Dirty Dozen, which is a list of fruits and vegetables that are likely to have the most pesticide residue. The biggest change is EWG comment on raisins, which were not on the list but were mentioned for the first time. Raisins were tested for the first time since 2007 even though it's not a fresh food. That food is the dirtiest produce commodity. Of the 670 samples of conventional raisins analyzed, 99% tested positive for at least two pesticides. On average, each sample was contaminated with more than 13 pesticides. One sample had 26 pesticides. Even some organic raisins were contaminated. The issue with this food is that children under the age of 15 eat 208,000,000 pounds of raisins every year, about half of the … [Read more...]
Consumers Warned About Pesticides in Cactus Pads
The California Department of Public Health is warning consumers not to eat cactus pads, also called noodles, that have been imported from Mexico because they have contain unapproved pesticides. This product was sold at specific retail and wholesale locations around the state and may have been sold in other states. The California Department of Pesticide Regulation collected surveillance samples and found different pesticides on the product, including dimethoate, omethoate, monocrotophos and methidathion. The compounds were found at levels that pose a health risk. Monocrotophos and methidathion have been based for food use in this country for years. The FDA has been informed about this issue. CDPH Director and State Health Officer Dr. Karen Smith said in a statement, "Anyone … [Read more...]
HEB Recalls Salads, Products for Violative Pesticide Residue
The FDA's weekly Enforcement Report for December 23, 2015 has revealed that many products sold at HEB stores were recalled because they used an ingredient that had too much pesticide residue. The Enforcement Report lists recalls that are not, for some reason, displayed on the FDA's recall site. You can see the long list of recalled products, along with product codes and sell-by dates, at the Enforcement Report page. The recalled items all had sell-by dates in September and October 2015. The product that had too much pesticide residue was apparently Houston Culinary Center Basil Pesto. The recalled products include HEB Sandwich Tuna Salad 12 Grain, HCC Greek Pasta Salad Small, Ciabatta Albacore Tuna Melt, HEB Shrimp Salad, HEB Herb Seared Salmon Herb, Houston Culinary Center Herb Seared … [Read more...]
Several Recalls in FDA’s Weekly Enforcement Report
The FDA's weekly Enforcement Report often reveals recalls that were not released to the general public. This week there were several of note. Curley Parsley produced by MR Cula, doing business as Riley's, has been recalled because the product tested positive for the pesticides propanocarb and trifloxystrobin. The UPC code on that product is 740695801109. Also recalled is Daily Chef Peanut Butter Bars, in 27 ounce packages. This product was made in Canada. It is being recalled for foreign matter (rigid plastic pieces) found in the bars. The UPC code is 78742 11172, lot number TFF 15 237, and best by date of August 25, 2016. Finally Meijer Caramel Corn is being recalled because the product declares butter as an ingredient, but did not specify that means the allergen milk is present … [Read more...]
