Pesticide Report Released

Yesterday the US Department of Agriculture released its annual Pesticide Residue Data on fruits and vegetables. The report was four months late and had caused some concern from the Environmental Working Group (EWG), which compiles the data to create its “Dirty Dozen” and “Clean 15” lists. According to Food Safety News, produce group United Fresh had contacted Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack, urging him to put the data in better context, stating that the report had “been mischaracterized repeatedly by environmental activists.” The EWG states, however, that it is “gratified that the agency resisted an unprecedented lobbying campaign by the pesticide and produce industry.”