The majority of California produce meets national pesticide standards set by the Environmental Protection Agency, according to a report released Thursday by the state Department of Pesticide Regulation.
The agency collected 563 samples of California produce in 2017. Those fruits and vegetables were then tested for 400 known pesticides.
The department found that 95 percent of California-grown produce samples had pesticide residues that fell within the legal levels set by the EPA.
Five percent of California produce tested had illegal residues, including kale, snow peas and bok choy. But the agency says none of those levels pose a health risk to consumers.
According to the report, most illegal residues were detected on imported produce, including prickly pear and cactus pads from Mexico as well as lychees from China.
Correction: An previous version of this story incorrectly stated the percentage of California-grown produce with pesticide residues that fell within the legal levels set by the EPA. The CDPR report found it to be 95 percent.
CapRadio provides a trusted source of news because of you. As a nonprofit organization, donations from people like you sustain the journalism that allows us to discover stories that are important to our audience. If you believe in what we do and support our mission, please donate today.
