The Relationship Between “Cosmetic Standards” for Foods and Pesticide Use

Abstract

During the past 40 years, as FDA has been lowering the tolerance levels for insects and insect parts in food products, more pesticides have been used to insure that crop produce meet the more stringent defect levels. The results have been higher economic costs for pest control, widespread environmental and human health problems caused by pesticides, as well as higher contamination levels of insecticides and miticides in fruit and vegetables.