Tokyo Food Safety Information Center » Tokyo Metropolitan Government food safety FAQ »How much pesticide residue is there on vegetables?
How much pesticide residue is there on vegetables?
How much pesticide residue is there on vegetables?
- (1)Why is it necessary to use pesticides?
- I have heard that large amounts of pesticides are used to grow vegetables and am worried.
The types and amounts of pesticides which may be used are established in the Agricultural Chemicals Control Act. Accordingly, ordinarily pesticide residues on commercially available fruits and vegetables either cannot be detected or are incredibly small.
The Agricultural Chemicals Control Act establishes when and how often pesticides can be used so that residual amounts on fruits and vegetables fall below set safety standards.
A total of 2.63 million tests concerning pesticide residues on agricultural products were conducted at quarantine stations and by local governments in 2012. Of those, only 0.002% of domestic products and 0.01% of imported products exceeded the standards.
(1)Some agricultural products today, such as apples and peaches, have been selectively bred for better quality and only better quality and, as a result, are almost incapable of growing naturally in the wild. Accordingly, pesticides are used to ensure the stable production of high quality agricultural products by preventing disease, controlling pests, and killing weeds. Pesticides are also useful for reducing the excessive labor farmers must engage in, like weeding in the midst of the summer heat.
A total of 2.63 million tests concerning pesticide residues on agricultural products were conducted at quarantine stations and by local governments in 2012. Of those, only 0.002% of domestic products and 0.01% of imported products exceeded the standards.
(1)Some agricultural products today, such as apples and peaches, have been selectively bred for better quality and only better quality and, as a result, are almost incapable of growing naturally in the wild. Accordingly, pesticides are used to ensure the stable production of high quality agricultural products by preventing disease, controlling pests, and killing weeds. Pesticides are also useful for reducing the excessive labor farmers must engage in, like weeding in the midst of the summer heat.