USDA report shows safety of pesticide levels on food
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has recently published the 2020 Pesticide Data Program (PDP) Annual Summary, which shows that more than 99% of the samples tested had pesticide residues below benchmark levels established by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
The 2020 report marks the 30th year of PDP results. In three decades, USDA has tested more than 310 000 samples of 126 different commodities, such as: fresh and processed fruits and vegetables, dairy, meat, poultry, grains, fish, rice, specialty products, and water. Annually, USDA and EPA define the foods that have to be tested by the PDP on a rotating basis. In 2020, 9 600 samples from 18 commodities were analyzed to collect information about pesticide residue levels.
PDP data are used by EPA to conduct dietary risk assessments and to guarantee that, if present, any pesticide residues in foods is below benchmark levels. The results also represent important information for regulators, farmers, processors, manufacturers, consumers and scientists.
The 2020 PDP monitoring results are available on the Pesticide Data Program page.
Sources:
https://www.ams.usda.gov/press-release/usda-releases-2020-pesticide-data-program-annual-summary
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