If you’ve ever stood in the produce aisle wondering how safe your family’s fruits and vegetables are, the latest report from the California Department of Pesticide Regulation (offers reassuring news: California-grown produce is among the safest anywhere.
In its 2023 annual monitoring program, the DPR tested more than 3,500 unwashed samples of fruits and vegetables sold in California. The results? About 97% of produce either had no detectable pesticide residues or had residues well below strict federal safety limits. Only 3% had illegal residues, and almost all of those were imported.
When DPR looked specifically at produce labeled “grown in California,” the results were even better. Out of more than 1,050 California-grown samples, over 99% had either no pesticide residues or only legal, safe levels. Only 0.3%, less than one-third of one percent, had illegal residues.
That’s an extraordinary track record, especially considering California produces more than 400 different crops, many of which end up in grocery carts across the country and around the world.
What ‘no detectable’ really means
Modern testing technology can detect pesticide residues at incredibly tiny amounts, down to parts per billion or even parts per trillion.
To put that in everyday terms:
- One part per billion is like a single drop of water in an Olympic-sized swimming pool.
- One part per trillion is like that same drop in 20 Olympic-sized pools.
So when the report says, “no detectable pesticide residue,” it means nothing was found even at these ultra-sensitive levels.
How DPR chooses what to test
The DPR’s pesticide residue monitoring program doesn’t just test the most pristine produce from farmers’ markets. Its approach is deliberate, and they have a clear target. Sampling focuses on:
- Produce that is frequently eaten by infants and children.
- Produce likely treated with pesticides listed under Proposition 65 as carcinogens or reproductive toxins.
- Produce that reflects consumption patterns across diverse ethnic and socioeconomic groups.
- Produce with a history of illegal residue detections.
- Produce imported from countries with past violations.
This targeted approach means they are actively looking for problems, not avoiding them, and still, California produce shines.
If illegal pesticide residues are detected, DPR immediately quarantines the produce so it can’t be sold. They trace it back through the supply chain to remove it from stores and prevent it from reaching families. California farms with violations face investigations, possible destruction of crops, and strict enforcement measures.
Why this matters for families
Parents and grandparents want to know that the food they put on the table is safe. This report confirms that California’s system of frequent testing, strict safety standards, and tough enforcement is working.
For shoppers, the takeaway is clear: buying California-grown produce means you’re choosing fruits and vegetables that meet some of the highest safety standards in the world.
So, the next time you see “California Grown” at wherever you purchase your family’s food, you can feel confident filling your cart. Your apples, strawberries, spinach, and carrots aren’t just fresh and delicious, they’re also among the safest you can buy.
Renee Pinel is president and CEO of the Western Plant Health Association. The association supports the safe use of pesticides that protect the environment and human health.
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by PostX News and is published from a syndicated feed.)
