PFAS Contamination in California Produce
A pioneering analysis has detected residues of PFAS pesticides on 37% of conventional produce in California, with peaches, strawberries, and grapes nearly always contaminated by these toxic "forever chemicals."
This analysis coincides with the introduction of California legislation aiming to fully ban PFAS as active ingredients in pesticides by 2035, while implementing warning labels and other restrictions in the interim.
Study Findings and Health Concerns
The Environmental Working Group (EWG), a non-profit organization, conducted the analysis using residue testing records from the California Department of Pesticide Regulation. Their findings revealed that approximately 90% of peaches, plums, and nectarines contained PFAS residues, while 80% of strawberries and grapes showed contamination. These levels are particularly concerning because children frequently consume fruits like grapes and strawberries and are most vulnerable to the toxic effects of PFAS, according to Bernadette Del Chiaro, senior vice-president of EWG’s California operations.
“Most consumers don’t expect to find PFAS ‘forever chemicals’ on their strawberries – I think this information is shocking to most people,” Del Chiaro added.
PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) comprise at least 16,000 compounds commonly used to manufacture products resistant to water, stains, and heat. They are termed "forever chemicals" because they do not naturally degrade and accumulate in the environment. Exposure to PFAS has been linked to cancer, kidney disease, liver problems, immune disorders, birth defects, and other serious health issues.
Regulatory and Industry Context
Advocacy efforts addressing PFAS in pesticides began in 2023. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) under President Joe Biden acknowledged one study identifying PFAS in pesticides, whereas under former President Donald Trump, the EPA increased the number of PFAS compounds proposed for use on crops.
A 2023 analysis of EPA data found that at least 60% of active ingredients federally approved for use in common pesticides in recent years meet the most widely accepted definition of PFAS. These chemicals are incorporated as active ingredients in crop pesticides to eliminate weeds or pests.
Scope of the Analysis
EWG reviewed records for 930 samples across 78 types of non-organic, California-grown fruits and vegetables. The analysis found that 348 samples, or 37%, contained PFAS residues. Approximately 40 individual types of fruits and vegetables contained residues, indicating that at least half of all produce varieties were treated with PFAS pesticides.
PFAS contamination extends beyond food, persisting in the environment and polluting drinking water supplies. The city of Fresno, located in an agricultural region, has sued PFAS manufacturers over groundwater pollution, which exceeded federal limits by 600%. This contamination affects more than 120,000 homes.
A previous EWG analysis of state records estimated that 2.5 million pounds of PFAS are applied to California cropland annually.
“Here’s a chemical that we in society at large are trying to get out of our environment and drinking water … and yet here on the flip side there is a regulatory agency permitting its use on crops,” Del Chiaro said.
Research Gaps and Exposure Risks
The health impacts of PFAS pesticides remain largely unclear because they represent a relatively new area of research, and little data beyond industry-produced studies exist.
“We know that PFAS can be dangerous, we know that pesticides can be dangerous, but we don’t really know enough about this new understudied exposure route,” said Varun Subramaniam, a report co-author and analyst with EWG.
Subramaniam noted that produce may contain multiple types of PFAS pesticides. For example, ten products are approved for use on strawberries, but the regulatory system only evaluates the risks of one pesticide, despite typical exposure involving multiple pesticides.
“We know people are exposed to cocktails of pesticides and literature shows that these combinations can often be more harmful, so that’s a blind spot for the EPA at the moment,” Subramaniam said.
Legislative Measures in California
The proposed California legislation would ban the use of PFAS as active ingredients in pesticides by 2035. By 2030, the 23 PFAS pesticides already banned by the European Union but still used in the United States would also be prohibited in California. The bill would impose a moratorium on approvals of new PFAS pesticides and require labeling to warn farmers, who advocates say often are unaware that their pesticides contain PFAS.
The pesticide industry is expected to strongly oppose the legislation. Maine and Minnesota have already enacted similar bans, increasing the likelihood of passage in California. Although the state often leads in environmental protections, Governor Gavin Newsom, a potential 2028 Democratic presidential candidate, has been cautious, particularly regarding PFAS legislation.
In December, the California legislature passed a bill by a wide margin banning PFAS in cookware and other everyday products, but Newsom vetoed it, citing concerns from industry and celebrity chefs. He has not yet commented on the pesticide legislation.
The bill’s author, California Assemblymember Nick Schultz, stated:
“I don’t want my kids eating strawberries contaminated with chemicals that will stay in their bodies for decades.”
“We are providing a clear, responsible road map for our farmers to transition away from these persistent chemicals while re-establishing California as a global leader in food safety,” Schultz added.
