Even the results of the 1996 testing were not released until 1998. Similarly, results from apple samples collected by the USDA this fall and winter will not be released until 2001. This delay undermines any value this information could have to consumers. In a second phase of tests now underway, EWG will examine apples, apple juice and other children's foods. If consumers knew which foods were higher in pesticides, they could shop to reduce their exposure.
Someone needs to give consumers unbiased information.
We hope that supermarkets will take the lead, but until then EWG will be testing foods for pesticides and telling consumers what we find. Methyl parathion, one of the organophosphate class of pesticides, was banned from apples by the EPA last summer, which did little to affect residues of that chemical on fruit that was on trees when the announcement was made. Consumers are still eating the last of that crop, and will do so until the 2000 crop is available on store shelves next fall. One bag of apples went over EPA's safety limit by a factor of 10. The cost will be minimal to stores, said Hettenbach, if EWG's experience is any indication.