10,000 New Reasons Not To Worry About Pesticide Residues

[HuckleB]

http://www.science20.com/agricultural_realism/10000_new_reasons_not_to_worry_about_pesticide_residues-167025

"Each year, the farmers around the world who produce our food (fruits, vegetables, grains) get the equivalent of a “grade” on a giant “group project.” For 2014 they got another A+ as they have for many years. The “test” entails thousands of food samples, which the USDA collects from normal US food channels and then scrutinizes for pesticide residues using extremely sensitive laboratory testing methods.

They are checking for any detectable residues (41% of samples have none) and whether any of the detectable residues exceed the conservative “tolerances” set by the EPA (99.6% of the samples met that exacting standard). This means that our regulatory/farming system is working extremely well! Farmers are able to produce crops without the inefficiency and quality issues associated with excessive pest damage, and consumers are able to safely enjoy what they grow.

The official conclusion from the USDA is “These Pesticide Data Program data show that, overall, pesticide residues found on foods tested are at levels below the tolerances established by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and pose no safety concern.”

Chemical pesticides are only one part of the pest control regime, but an important one. The chemical pesticides in use today are predominantly low in mammalian toxicity, but for all pesticides the EPA sets detailed rules for how they can be used (e.g. maximum rates, periods of time before harvest…).

..."

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Not that this would matter to many, but...

[Orrex]

1. Obviously you'd post this, considering that you're a Monsanto shill

You'll probably soaking in a vat of glyphosate this very minute.

[HuckleB]

2. It's an amazing skin moisturizer!

[trotsky]

3. And dessert topping! n/t