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USDA says vast majority of pesticide residues under EPA levels

A new report by the USDA shows more than 99-percent of pesticide residues on foods sampled are below benchmark levels set by the EPA.

The report for 2020, issued by the Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS), reflects more than nine-thousand samples from 18 commodities of fresh and processed fruits and vegetables. The results are reported to the Food and Drug Administration.

Over 30 years, the Pesticide Data Program has sampled 126 commodities including dairy, meat, poultry, grains, fish, rice, specialty products and water.

The FDA and EPA are immediately notified if testing discovers residue levels that could pose a public safety concern.

Pesticide Data Program