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Last month, the California Department of Pesticide Regulation (DPR) released its annual produce monitoring report for 2023. The report showed about 97% of fruits and vegetables sold in California either had no detectable pesticide residues or had residues well below federal health-protective limits.
DPR collected and tested more than 3,500 unwashed produce samples from across the state. Each sample was analyzed for up to 500 types of pesticides and related compounds. Under U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rules, a sample is considered illegal only if pesticide detections exceed strict health-protective “tolerances.”
Highlights from the 2023 Residue Monitoring Program include:
• 39% of samples had no detectable pesticide residues at all.
• 58% had residues, but all were below EPA tolerance levels.
• 3% of samples had illegal pesticide residues.
• Of 1,059 produce samples labeled “grown in California,” less than 1% had illegal residues.
• Of the 96 samples with illegal residues, 83% were from imported produce.
• Of 379 organic samples, 98% met all pesticide requirements.
Understanding the Results
At first glance, “97% safe” sounds impressive, but what does that actually mean? The “97% safe” is the combination of the 39% with “no detectable” and 58% with “residues below EPA tolerances.” To explain it well to friends, neighbors or concerned customers, let’s take a look behind the numbers and unpack a few of the key points.
First, consider the 39% of produce with no detectable pesticide residues whatsoever. Because of advances in science, “no detectable” means more than it did a generation ago. Testing technology has advanced so much that laboratories no longer measure only in parts per million. Now, they regularly are looking for detection residues in parts per billion or even parts per trillion.
To put that in perspective:
• One part per billion is the equivalent of a single drop of water in an Olympic-sized swimming pool (about 10,000 gallons).
• One part per trillion is like that same drop of water in 20 Olympic-sized swimming pools.
So when a test says, “no detectable pesticide residue,” it means that even at these incredibly sensitive detection levels, nothing was found.
The next category, 58% of produce with residues below EPA tolerances, also deserves a closer look. EPA pesticide tolerances are not casual estimates; they’re the result of years of rigorous scientific review. To set a tolerance, the EPA examines:
• The toxicity of the pesticide
• How and how often it’s applied
• How much might remain on the food at harvest
Only after confirming there is a “reasonable certainty of no harm” does the EPA set a tolerance limit. These limits are intentionally conservative, often 100 times lower than the level at which any health effect might occur.
California Grown: Even Better
If we look only at produce grown in California, the results are even stronger.
Out of more than 1,050 California-grown samples, over 99% had either no detectable residues or legal levels. Illegal residues were found in just 0.3% of samples. That is a rate so low it’s almost impossible to demonstrate on a chart.
In fact, California-grown produce routinely tests about 10% safer than comparable European Union produce, even though the EU is often held up as a gold standard for food safety.
This is not accidental. California’s growers, consultants, commodity groups and pesticide enforcement agencies have invested heavily in education and compliance programs. While California is known for leading the way in environmental policy, this report makes it clear that the state is also leading in pesticide safety and food protection.
How DPR Chooses What to Test
The DPR’s Pesticide Residue Monitoring Program doesn’t just test the most pristine produce from farmers markets. Its approach is deliberate, and they have a clear target. Sampling focuses on:
• Produce that is frequently eaten by infants and children
• Produce likely treated with pesticides listed under Proposition 65 as carcinogens or reproductive toxins
• Produce that reflects consumption patterns across diverse ethnic and socioeconomic groups
• Produce with a history of illegal residue detections
• Produce imported from countries with past violations
Because of this targeted approach, the program’s results tend to identify potential problems rather than avoid them. Even so, the data shows that California produce remains overwhelmingly safe. In plain terms, California is ensuring that not only more affluent Californians are safe, but populations and communities who have historically been underrepresented are ensured safe and healthy produce. This proactive strategy should increase, not decrease, consumer confidence.
We should applaud DPR, CDFA and the California Agricultural Commissioners (CACs) for their conscious effort to ensure that all sensitive population demographics have access to safe fruits and vegetables.
What Happens When a Violation Is Found
When illegal pesticide residues are found, DPR takes quick action. DPR immediately quarantines the produce to stop it from being sold. Investigators also trace its path through the distribution chain, contacting wholesalers, retailers and distributors to make sure no unsafe produce remains in circulation.
Businesses with repeated violations are enrolled in the Repeat Residue Offender Program, where they undergo compliance interviews and must make operational changes to prevent future violations. They get three months to implement improvements; afterward, they are placed on a 12-month probation. Further violations during that period can lead to more serious enforcement actions.
If the contaminated produce comes from a California farm, the county CAC investigates. They can order the destruction of the crop and recommend additional penalties. These measures send a clear message: California will not tolerate unsafe food in its marketplace.
‘In California, the chances of finding illegal pesticide residues on locally grown produce are less than
one-third of 1%.’
Why This Matters for Everyone
The agricultural community often understands these statistics instinctively. But outside the industry, many people are unsure what “safe” means or don’t understand what’s behind the statistics in the context of pesticides. And frankly, science can be difficult to explain. Some of us may not be comfortable talking about the results to avoid having to try to explain what’s behind these numbers.
By understanding the science and protocols behind these findings, growers, consultants and food safety advocates can help shift that perception. “Safe” here is not a vague reassurance; it’s a data-backed, progressive statement grounded in some of the strictest testing and enforcement standards in the world.
The reality is that California’s system works:
• Testing is frequent, sophisticated and targeted.
• Enforcement is swift and uncompromising.
• Education and prevention are built into agriculture’s culture.
This is good news for growers and a trust-building story for consumers.
Spread the Word
Growers, consultants, industry groups and local officials can help the public understand what these results mean by sharing the context behind the numbers. Clarify that “no detectable residues” means none, even when measuring a single drop of water in 20 swimming pools. Discuss how EPA tolerance levels are designed to protect even the most vulnerable populations, such as infants, pregnant women and historically underrepresented populations.
And highlight the fact that in California, the chances of finding illegal pesticide residues on locally grown produce are less than one-third of 1%. That’s not just a good number; it’s an extraordinary achievement.
California agriculture sustains the state, the nation and much of the world. Reports like this one confirm what the industry has known for a long time: Our produce is abundant, diverse and among the safest anywhere. That’s something to celebrate and, even more importantly, to share.
