The U.S. Department of Agriculture released its 2024 Pesticide Data Program Annual Summary, showing that more than 99 percent of all food samples tested contained pesticide residues below benchmark levels established by the Environmental Protection Agency. The findings continue to reinforce long-standing trends showing that pesticide residues in the U.S. food supply remain well within established safety thresholds.
Each year, U.S. Department of Agriculture and the Environmental Protection Agency work jointly to determine which foods will be evaluated through the Pesticide Data Program, using a rotating schedule designed to reflect consumption patterns and potential exposure risks. For 2024, testing included more than 9,800 individual samples representing 19 different commodities, spanning both fresh and processed fruits, vegetables, nuts, and fish.
USDA officials said the program examines a broad range of domestically produced and imported foods, with particular attention paid to items commonly consumed by infants and children. The PDP’s sampling and testing protocols are designed to provide a statistically robust snapshot of pesticide residue levels across the marketplace, offering transparency and consistency from year to year.
Beyond safety monitoring, the data serves as a critical resource for regulators, farmers, food processors, manufacturers, consumers, and scientists by offering real-world insight into the presence and concentration of pesticide residues in foods that are widely eaten. According to USDA, if any PDP test were to detect residue levels that could raise a public health concern, both the Food and Drug Administration and EPA would be notified immediately to determine appropriate next steps.
