Canada 
Alberta 
British Columbia 
Manitoba
New Brunswick 
Newfoundland Labrador 
Nova Scotia 
Ontario 
Prince Edward Island 
Quebec 
Saskatchewan 
United States 
Belgium
France 
Italy 
Switzerland
Elsewhere
Elsewhere
×
Elsewhere
Elsewhere
Pesticide Residue in Food
How to reduce the risk
For foods with a higher risk of residues exceeding the MRL, it is possible to limit exposure by washing fruits and vegetables, or by opting for foods derived from organic farming. In addition, consuming pesticide-free products and encouraging ecological agriculture has the potential to limit possible contact or exposure to these products via the environment.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the major subject of pesticides is complex and involves several actors, including from the political, economic and environmental spheres. As consumers, we can ask ourselves what our role is and what is the impact of our choices. One thing is certain, it is important to stay informed, and to ensure that the information we take in comes from reliable sources based on the most up-to-date science.
* To learn more about the process for setting maximum residue limits (MRL) for pesticides, visit Health Canada’s website.
Sources
Blais, S. (2023, 20 juin). Ottawa lève la pause sur l’augmentation des limites de résidus de pesticides sur les aliments. Le Devoir. https://www.ledevoir.com/environnement/793327/ottawa-leve-la-pause-sur-l-augmentation-des-limites-de-residus-de-pesticides-sur-les-aliments
Gerbet, T. (2023, 20 juin). Ottawa va de nouveau permettre plus de pesticides dans certains aliments. Radio-Canada. https://ici.radio-canada.ca/nouvelle/1989657/ottawa-pesticides-glyphosate-aliments-lmr
Gerbet, T. (2021, 30 mars). Québec reconnaît le lien entre les pesticides et la maladie de Parkinson. Radio-Canada. https://ici.radio-canada.ca/nouvelle/1780853/parkinson-pesticides-maladie-professionnelle-quebec
Girard-Bossé, A. (2023, 27 juillet). Santé Canada propose un seuil décuplé pour un pesticide. La Presse. https://www.lapresse.ca/actualites/2023-07-27/betteraves-traitees-au-fludioxonil/sante-canada-propose-un-seuil-decuple-pour-un-pesticide.php
Environmental Working Group. (2023, mars 30). EWG’s 2023 Shopper’s Guide to Pesticides in Produce. https://www.ewg.org/foodnews/summary.php
EFSA (European Food Safety Authority), Carrasco Cabrera, L et al. (2023). The 2021 European Union report on pesticide residues in food. EFSA Journal 2023; 21(4):7939, 89 pp. https://doi.org/10.2903/j.efsa.2023.7939
Sandoval-Insausti H, et al. (2022). Intake of fruits and vegetables according to pesticide residue status in relation to all-cause and disease-specific mortality: Results from three prospective cohort studies. Environment International, 159, 107024. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envint.2021.107024
Valcke M, et al. (2017). Human health risk assessment on the consumption of fruits and vegetables containing residual pesticides: A cancer and non-cancer risk/benefit perspective. Environment International, 108, 63-74. doi: 10.1016/j.envint.2017.07.023.
Author
Katharina holds a degree in human nutrition from McGill University, was a member of the Ordre des diététistes nutritionnistes du Québec (ODNQ) from 2021 to 2026, and is certified by Monash University in the FODMAP protocol for the treatment of irritable bowel syndrome. She worked as a clinical nutritionist for SOSCuisine from 2022 to 2026 and actively contributed to the development of the SOS FODMAP Wizard. Having obtained a Master's degree in environmental science in Germany in 2025, she has since redirected her career towards this field and now lives in Europe.
Pesticide Residue.
Bayer never ceases to find new ways to increase the profit margin at our expense. My heart feels for the farmers, but the consumers as well. It irritates me to no end to see 12 apple varieties on the Grocers shelves. Between Ontario and British Columbia fruit belts we are easily able to satisfy our domestic needs and in fact, until the 1970’s were able to export as well. Why is it necessary to import substandard, toxic fruits at all?