Table Of ContentPUBLIC HEALTH IN THE 21ST CENTURY
P R F
ESTICIDE ESIDUES IN OOD
D F O
ATA AND EDERAL VERSIGHT
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P H 21 C
UBLIC EALTH IN THE ST ENTURY
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PUBLIC HEALTH IN THE 21ST CENTURY
P R F
ESTICIDE ESIDUES IN OOD
D F O
ATA AND EDERAL VERSIGHT
KATHLEEN MORRISON
EDITOR
New York
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CONTENTS
Preface vii
Chapter 1 Food Safety: FDA and USDA Should Strengthen
Pesticide Residue Monitoring Programs and
Further Disclose Monitoring Limitations 1
United States Government Accountability Office
Chapter 2 Agricultural Chemicals: USDA Could Enhance
Pesticide and Fertilizer Usage Data, Improve Outreach,
and Better Leverage Resources 95
United States Government Accountability Office
Index 159
PREFACE
This book examines what FDA data show with respect to pesticide residue
violations in the foods that it regulates; what FSIS data show with respect to
pesticide residue violations in the foods that it regulates; and what AMS data
show with respect to pesticide residue levels in fruits and vegetables.
Chapter 1 – From 1970 to 2007, hundreds of millions of pounds of
pesticides were applied annually to U.S. food crops to protect them from pests.
To protect consumers, EPA sets standards— known as tolerances—for
pesticide residues on foods. FSIS monitors meat, poultry, and processed egg
products to ensure they do not violate EPA’s tolerances, and FDA monitors
other foods, including fruits and vegetables. AMS gathers annual residue data
for highly consumed foods, although not for enforcement purposes.
GAO was asked to review federal oversight of pesticide residues in food.
This report examines (1) what FDA data show with respect to pesticide residue
violations in the foods that it regulates; (2) what FSIS data show with respect
to pesticide residue violations in the foods that it regulates; and (3) what AMS
data show with respect to pesticide residue levels in fruits and vegetables. For
each agency, GAO examined limitations, if any, in the agencies’ monitoring of
foods for pesticide residues. GAO analyzed FDA, FSIS, and AMS pesticide
residue data, including their reliability, reviewed agency methods for sampling
foods for testing, and interviewed agency officials.
Chapter 2 – The use of pesticides and fertilizers contributes to U.S.
agricultural productivity and helps ensure a generally stable, plentiful, and
inexpensive food supply. However, these chemicals may also harm human
health, water quality, and food safety. The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s
(USDA) National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) collects, analyzes,
and disseminates Agricultural Chemical Usage (ACU) data to meet regulatory,
viii Kathleen Morrison
business, and other informational needs. In fiscal years 2007 through 2009,
NASS substantially scaled back the ACU program before restoring it in 2010.
GAO was asked to examine (1) what factors NASS considered in reducing the
ACU program; (2) how ACU data users were affected by the temporary
cutback, and their views on the data’s quality and usefulness; and (3) the
extent to which agricultural pesticide and fertilizer usage data are available
from sources other than NASS. GAO reviewed relevant NASS documents and
interviewed NASS officials as well as 25 selected ACU data users.
