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Legally, food may contain a number of pesticide residues as long as the amount is within allowable tolerance
levels. Under the Food Quality Protection Act, many of these tolerances are being recalculated to take into account their possible cumulative impact and their impact on infants and children.
In 1992 the USDA's Pesticide Data Program analyzed residues in 12 fruits and vegetables from major agricultural
production regions in the United States, including Texas.* This was the first Food and Drug Administration or USDA pesticide residue study that tested residue on fruits and vegetables after they were peeled and washed. The results of this study showed that fresh fruits and vegetables routinely contain residues of several different pesticides.* According to the USDA, 5,592 samples were analyzed. "Residues of 49 different pesticides were detected in approximately 60 percent of all samples. In other words, neither the washing nor peeling of food guarantees the removal of pesticide residues."*
This study revealed that the levels of many pesticide residues were substantially below tolerances, but
residues in violation were found in 63 samples, 15 of which were in imported commodities: "Of the 63 samples, 10 exceeded the tolerance level and the other 53 had residues where no tolerance
was established."*
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