FDA Monitoring Program

Under regulatory monitoring, 16,428 samples of domestically produced and imported food from 94 countries were analyzed for pesticide residues in 1992. Of these, 15,370 were surveillance samples, which are collected when there is no evidence of a pesticide problem. No residues were found in 65% of the domestic surveillance samples and 66% of the import surveillance samples. Findings in the 1058 compliance samples reflect their collection and analysis when a pesticide problem is suspected. Under incidence/level monitoring, 206 samples of aquaculture seafood/shellfish and 558 milk samples were analyzed for pesticide residues. The findings were similar to those from FDA's regulatory monitoring. The 1986-1991 Total Diet Study average results (dietary intake of pesticides) over that period are generally well below the standards set by the JMPR and by EPA. These 5-year averages may differ from the previously reported 1-year intakes (6-10) because they cover a period during which intakes of some chemicals, such as persistent chlorinated pesticides, have been generally declining, and also because they represent a 5-year rather than a 1-year average.