STORY AT-A-GLANCE
- The U.S. FDA, which evaluates produce for chemicals via their pesticide residue monitoring program, revealed that pesticide residues are widespread in popular produce, including strawberries, apples and grapes
- Overall, 84% of domestic fruits — along with 53% of vegetables, 42% of grains and 73% of “other” foods, such as nuts, seeds, candy, beverages and others — contained pesticide residues
- Imported fruits fared slightly better, with 52.3% of samples tainted with pesticide residues
- The FDA report revealed 221 different pesticide compounds in produce, including DDT (dichloro-diphenyl-trichloroethane), a toxic pesticide banned in 1972
- A group of Harvard scientists noted that more than 90% of Americans have detectable levels of pesticides in their urine and blood, and the health effects of consuming pesticide residues are unknown