The U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) was asked to review federal oversight of pesticide residues in food and has issued a report on their findings. According to GAO, although FDA data show pesticide residue contamination rates were low, FDA tests relatively few samples--less than one tenth of one percent of imported produce in 2012.
GAO noted that FDA does not test for some pesticides, including glyphosate, the most used agricultural pesticide. In addition, GAO found that FDA does not use statistically valid methods consistent with OMB standards to collect national information on the incidence and level of pesticide residues. Similarly, GAO found that FSIS did not test meat, poultry, and processed egg products for all pesticides with established EPA tolerance levels. GAO recommended that FDA improve its methodology and FDA and USDA disclose limitations in their monitoring and data collection efforts. FDA said it will consider methodological changes and will disclose limitations. USDA agreed with GAO's recommendations.