Bush puts a halt to pesticide food residue tests

The Bush administration has abruptly halted a program that tests levels of pesticides in fruits, vegetables and other crops, arguing that the $8 million dollar a year program is too expensive. $8 million. Hmm, that kind of sounds like a small number to me. Relatively speaking. You know, compared to other ginormous numbers that have been bouncing about the news lately. Perhaps it’s not about the cost of the actual program? But I digress.

The program, The Agricultural Chemical Usage Program, was administered by the USDA, and was used to set safe levels of pesticides in

foods. The decision to cut that program came as a shock to the EPA, who says they will now have to buy expensive private input. The EPA used the USDA info to set acceptable levels of pesticides in foods. Foods that we all eat.

What to do? I’ll keep eating my organic fruits and veggies when I can, that’s for certain. To help maximize your food dollars in these economic crunch times, remember the Dirty Dozen, the fruits and vegetables that are most crucial to buy organic.

[Via The Daily Green]

[Source] Patricia Mayville-Cox

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