After reviewing the newly released Pesticide Data Program (PDP) report from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), it is again baffling how groups can take this very positive and reassuring produce safety news and turn it into something negative. But, it seems a catchy name, data manipulation and a marketing gimmick developed over 23 years ago can usurp the science in some cases.
Interestingly, today’s media environment has coined a new term for this type of approach: “Fake or False News.” And the “dirty dozen,” list, which inaccurately portrays popular and safe fruits and veggies “toxic laden” in an attempt to scare consumers, checks all the boxes for this characterization.
But, first let’s focus on the “real news” from the USDA PDP report. These USDA report findings not only mirror results found over the last several years, but also complement the sampling data results from the Federal Food and Drug Administration. According to the USDA:
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