FDA uses a three-fold approach to monitor pesticides in foods: Regulatory Monitoring, Focused Sampling, and the Total Diet Study (TDS). Under Regulatory Monitoring, FDA samples individual lots of domestically produced and imported foods throughout the year, emphasizing raw agricultural commodities, and analyzes them for pesticide residues to enforce the tolerances established by EPA. Focused Sampling is generally used to follow-up on suspected problem areas or to acquire residue data on select commodities that are not usually covered during regulatory monitoring. Focused sampling is carried out by short-term field assignments. The TDS is distinct from Regulatory Monitoring and Focused Sampling because it determines pesticide residues in raw and processed foods that are prepared table-ready for consumption. Pesticide data from the TDS are used to estimate pesticide exposure in the U.S. population, including subpopulations. In addition to monitoring foods for human consumption, FDA also samples and analyzes domestic and imported animal foods for pesticide residues. The monitoring focuses on feed for livestock and poultry animals that ultimately become or produce foods for human consumption. Key findings from the fiscal year 2014 pesticide monitoring program will be discussed. FDA’s guidance and administrative procedures on pesticide residue findings in food, including pesticide residues subject to the "Channels of Trade" provision of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (section 408(I)(5)), Import Alerts, Detention without Physical Examination, and action levels for residues of cancelled pesticides that persist in the environment will be discussed.

FDA’s Pesticide residue monitoring and enforcement

254th National Meeting (2017)

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