Statewide Testing Confirms High Safety Levels in California’s Produce Supply

SACRAMENTO – Nearly 97% of fresh fruits and vegetables tested in California either contained no pesticide residues or had levels below federal limits set to protect human health, according to the latest annual pesticide residue monitoring report released today by the California Department of Pesticide Regulation (DPR), underscoring the state’s continued commitment to ensuring a safe food supply.

In 2024, DPR collected and tested 3,032 produce samples for more than 500 types of pesticides and breakdown products:

• 1,195 (39.4%) – Zero residues detected
• 1,740 (57.4%) – Residues within the legal pesticide residue tolerances set by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
• 97 (3.2%) – Illegal residues detected

These findings reflect consistent trends over the past decade, with the vast majority of residue levels within safe limits.

The tests were conducted on 115 different fresh fruits and vegetables both grown in California and imported into the state. Of the California-grown samples, only 2% had illegal residues. The affected fruits and veggies originated from Fresno, Kern, Madera, Monterey, Santa Barbara, Stanislaus, Tulare, and Ventura counties. All incidents were referred to County Agricultural Commissioners who are responsible for investigating the cause and assessing civil penalties.

“Californians should feel confident in eating the fruits and vegetables both grown and sold in the state,” said DPR Director Karen Morrison. “Our rigorous requirements, statewide monitoring program, and follow-up enforcement on violators keep the food families eat safe.”

In total, DPR collected produce samples from 550 California businesses throughout 2024. Of those:

• 920 were grown in California
• 825 were grown elsewhere in the United States
• 1,256 were grown out of the United States and imported
• 31 were of undetermined origin due to a lack of information on the containers

Most illegal residues were found on imported produce, with 77 of the 97 samples coming from fruits and vegetables grown outside of the United States. China (32%), Peru (8%), Ecuador (7%), and Mexico (7%) registered the highest percentage of illegal residues detected.

When a sample tests positive for illegal residue, DPR conducts additional assessments to determine if it poses a potential acute health risk to consumers. In 2024, 15 samples met this threshold. The produce originated from Costa Rica, China, and Mexico. In these cases, DPR quarantines and immediately removes the illegal produce from sale.

For more information on DPR’s pesticide residue monitoring, visit our website.