The USDA has published the 2022 Pesticide Data Program Annual Summary, which shows that over 99% of the samples tested had pesticide residues below benchmark levels established by the Environmental Protection Agency, according to a news release.
The tests were conducted on 10,665 samples from 23 commodities including fresh and processed fruits and vegetables, dairy, nuts and grains, the release said. The Pesticide Data Program is a national pesticide residue monitoring program that tests a variety of domestic and imported foods, with a focus on foods that are consumed by infants and children.
USDA and EPA work together each year to identify foods to be tested on a rotating basis, and USDA partners with cooperating state agencies to collect and analyze pesticide residue levels on the selected food commodities, according to the release.
EPA relies on Pesticide Data Program data to conduct dietary risk assessments and to ensure that any pesticide residues in foods remain at or below levels that EPA has set, the release said. The data also provide regulators, farmers, processors, manufacturers, consumers and scientists with insights into the actual levels of pesticide residues found on widely consumed foods.
The annual pesticide residue results are reported to the Food and Drug Administration and EPA in monthly reports as testing takes place throughout the year. FDA and EPA are immediately notified if a Pesticide Data Program test discovers residue levels that could pose a public safety concern, the release said.
Fresh and processed fruit and vegetables accounted for 8,512 samples or 79.8% of the total 10,665 samples collected in 2022, the release said.
Fresh and processed fruit and vegetables tested during 2022 included baby food green beans, baby food peaches, baby food pears, baby food sweet potatoes, blueberries (fresh and frozen), carrots, celery, grapes, green beans, mushrooms, peaches (fresh and frozen), pears, plums, potatoes, summer squash, tomatoes and watermelon.
The 2022 data and summary can be found on the Pesticide Data Program page of the USDA Agricultural Marketing Service website. Printed copies may be obtained by contacting the AMS’ Science and Technology Program, Monitoring Programs Division, at amsmpo.data@usda.gov.
