Foundation Board Member Helps Food Safety Professionals Demystify Pesticide Residue Risk

Minor Use Foundation Board Member Jason Sandahl recently co-authored an article with Oregon State University food science professor Dave Stone on understanding pesticide residue risk levels for Food Safety Magazine titled “Demystifying Pesticide Residues.” The article covers how pesticides are regulated in the U.S. and how their residues can have major impacts on international trade even though they pose no risk to food safety.

The following is an excerpt from their article:

To summarize, pesticide residues are highly regulated through a multi-agency approach using a risk-based framework. The lack of harmonization between countries in setting MRLs presents significant barriers to trade. While residues are typically found below MRLs in most domestic and imported foods in the U.S., it is important to assess their potential hazard to each specific scenario. Fortunately, many tools and databases exist to evaluate residue levels, embedded within a robust scientific structure to deliver safe and high-quality foods.

Read the full article “Demystifying Pesticide Residues” on the Food Safety Magazine website