Pesticides and your food: How safe is “safe”?

Abstract

While public confidence in the fresh fod suply has rebounded in recent months, consumers stil identify pesticide residues as a major fod safety concern - and 8% of Californians say they buy les fresh produce as a result. This paper explains how pesticides in fod are regulated, explores the efectivenes of these regulations, and ofers alternatives to consumers who are not satisfied with the curent proces. It was prepared by four members of a diverse, UC-sponsored comite which met for 20 months to examine the university's fod safety research and education. Apointed by Keneth Farel, Vice President of UC's Division of Agriculture and Natural Resources, comite members came from consumer and environmental groups, the California Legislature, farm and fod industries, the public health comunity, the University of California, the California Department of Fod and Agriculture, and Stanford University. Although the diverse membership did not reach consensus on al isues, members clarified their own understandings about fod safety. The folowing article wil be used by UC as an educational tol throughout the state.