How are pesticides regulated in the US food supply? How are they regulated in foods from other countries?

Question

What will be an ideal response?

Answer 1

Consumers depend on the EPA and the FDA to keep pesticide use within safe limits. If the pesticide is approved, the EPA establishes a tolerance level for its presence in foods, well below the level at which it could cause any conceivable harm. Tolerance regulations also state the specific crops to which each pesticide can be applied. If a pesticide is misused, growers risk fines, lawsuits, and destruction of their crops.
Once tolerances are set, the FDA enforces them by monitoring foods and livestock feeds for the presence of pesticides. Over the past several decades of testing, the FDA has seldom found residues above tolerance levels, so it appears that pesticides are generally used according to regulations. Minimal pesticide use means lower costs for growers. In addition to costs, many farmers are also concerned about the environment, the quality of their farmland, and a safe food supply. Where violations are found, they are usually due to unusual weather conditions, use of unapproved pesticides, or misuse—for example, application of a particular pesticide to a crop for which it has not been approved.
A substantial and increasing amount of the fruits and vegetables consumed in the United States are imported from other countries. These countries have their own pesticide regulations—some more, and others less, stringent than those in the United States. To export into the United States, countries are required to comply with US pesticide tolerance limits and, for the most part, they do. The FDA finds violations of residue limits in about 13 percent of imported foods tested. Close to 200 member nations work together to develop international food standards through the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the World Health Organization (WHO) to help protect consumer health and promote fair practices in food trade, but compliance is voluntary.