The Department of Pesticide Regulation’s (DPR) Annual Produce Monitoring Report published this July demonstrates that farmers, pest control advisors, and applicators are successfully and effectively implementing California’s pest control regulations, providing safe, healthy fruits and vegetables to consumers nationwide and globally.
The report analyzed 3,544 produce samples from over 500 California locations, including both domestic and internationally imported products. Results showed 97% of fruits and vegetables contained either no detectable pesticides or residues well below federal safety limits. Among samples with unregistered pesticide detections, 83% were imported rather than grown in California or other U.S. states. Overall, the rate of unregistered pesticide detections has fallen continuously from 5.2% in 2020 to 2.7% in 2023.
These results reflect the diligent work of California farmers, pest control advisors, and applicators who carefully follow registration labels when making decisions related to applying organic and conventional pesticides.
In California, pesticides are registered for use by the federal government and then evaluated for use in the state through a science-based process that considers necessary risk assessments, restrictions, and mitigations to protect human health and the environment while providing for safe, effective and sustainable pest management practices.
Both organic and conventional farmers use pesticides registered specifically for their crops and many collaborate with University of California Farm Advisors and United States Department of Agriculture researchers to identify best practices for managing pest pressures. These integrated approaches may include practices such as healthy soil management, resilient plant varieties, and weed control alongside targeted pesticide use, working with pest control advisors. Farmers also prioritize worker safety through proper notification systems and strict adherence to safety protocols.
California also requires anyone who sells, advises on, or applies agricultural pesticides to be licensed. Pest control advisors and qualified applicators are required to take exams and continuing education courses, as well as register with their County Agricultural Commissioner(s).
Beyond making recommendations that adhere to label requirements that are developed through a rigorous and scientifically risk-based registration process at the Federal and State level, pest control advisors actively monitor pest populations and employ holistic practices like planting varieties that attract beneficial insects to combat invasive pests. These integrated pest management strategies are widely used throughout California, allowing pesticides to be applied strategically and only when most needed.
This comprehensive system ensures pesticides in California are applied safely, only when necessary, and in compliance with Federal and State requirements. DPR’s recent produce monitoring report demonstrates the system’s success, showcasing that California grows the world’s safest fruits and vegetables due to the responsible and thoughtful stewardship of farmers, pest control advisors and qualified applicators.
If you have any questions regarding the information above, please contact KSC’s DPR Regulatory team at agrottveit@ksclawyers.com, ttriffo@ksclawyers.com or ataylorsilva@ksclawyers.com.