A sign in the supermarket over the fresh broccoli says "No detected pesticide residues." Does that mean the store sells safer produce than the market down the street? Usually not, reports Better Homes and Gardens magazine.
The sign simply indicates that a private testing firm checks the store's fresh produce for certain pesticide residues. Such a sign at the point of purchase, over the broccoli, for instance, says that no excessive residues were detected in that lot.Supermarkets began testing for pesticides several years ago to reassure their jittery produce customers. The majority of these retailers are in California. They say that private testing by such companies as NutriClean is a safe backup to government testing.
Some growers, shippers and processors view this testing as a self-assessment tool. They use it to ensure that their produce meets approved government standards.
Opponents of private residue testing say that such testing simply becomes a marketing ploy because it lacks uniform regulation and the comprehensive standards of government programs. However, recent federal legislation requires that testing labs be accredited.
How safe is food? Although consumers worry about pesticides in food, violations appear to be rare.
The Food and Drug Administration recently reported that 99 percent of U.S.-grown produce and 96 percent of imported products tested in 1989 either showed no pesticide residues or showed residues well within government limits. These limits, set by the Environmental Protection Agency and monitored by the FDA, provide a 100- to 1,000-fold safety margin.
At home, take these steps to eliminate possible surface residues:
- Thoroughly rinse fruits and vegetables under cold running water, scrubbing with a stiff brush when possible.
- Peel away or discard outer leaves, skin, and rinds.
- Do not wash produce in soap of any kind; the soap may contain chemicals that have not been approved for human consumption.