The responsibility for monitoring pesticide residues primarily lies with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as well as state-level entities such as the Department of Pesticide Regulation (DPR). The FDA oversees the safety of food products including the monitoring of pesticide residues in food to ensure they are within established safety limits. Its role ensures that pesticide levels do not pose health risks to consumers.
The Department of Pesticide Regulation is responsible for regulating pesticide use and may conduct tests to monitor residues to ensure compliance with state laws and safety standards. Together, these agencies form a critical partnership in ensuring that food products are safe for consumption and that pesticide applications are managed effectively.
While other entities like the County Agricultural Commissioner and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) play roles in broader regulatory frameworks, including pesticide registration and compliance monitoring at different levels, the direct monitoring of pesticide residues in food is primarily a function of the FDA and the DPR. The U.S. Forest Service is focused on managing forest resources and does not have a role in monitoring pesticide residues.