The Chicago Tribune reports produce testing conducted in 2009 by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) as part of the department’s Pesticide Data Program (PDP) found at least 34 unapproved pesticides on cilantro samples. According to the recently released 2009 PCP annual report, 94% of the 184 samples tested positive for at least one pesticide. In total, 43 different pesticides were detected on the samples.
Under the PDP, food commodities are tested for pesticide residue and the data is used to study consumer pesticide exposure. USDA researchers speculate that the presence of unapproved pesticides may have be due to confusion about pesticide guidelines for cilantro and flat-leaf parsley, which is similar to cilantro. According to the article, the presence of unapproved pesticides may not put the public at risk because (1) many of the unapproved pesticide levels did not exceed the limits set for other crops, and (2) cilantro is often consumed in small quantities.
