USDA Testing Confirms Apples Are Well Within Federal Safety Standards for Pesticide Residues & Environmental Contaminants 

Background

In December 2025, USDA released its Pesticide Data Program (PDP) report for calendar year 2024. The report includes pesticide residue and environmental contaminant data for many commodities including 704 samples of fresh apples. The CY2025 report is underway and will again include apples. 

Each year, the U.S. Department of Agriculture selects a basket of commodities for pesticide residue and environmental contaminants testing under its PDP, with a strong focus on foods that are consumed by infants and children. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) incorporates multiple safety factors in setting the legal tolerances for pesticide residues in food. The Food and Drug Administration is responsible for enforcing the EPA tolerances. 

Summary of Findings

  • 704 samples of fresh apples were tested, with 98% of U.S. origin and 2% imported 
  • The testing analyzed for the presence of 597 pesticides and environmental contaminants 
  • 13 different pesticides were detected 
  • 100% of the samples tested were well within the pesticide tolerances established by EPA 
  • 100% of the fresh apple samples had zero detections for environmental contaminants 

Apples

For fresh apples, pyrimethanil was detected in 522 of the 704 samples, or 74%, making it the most frequently detected residue. The limit of detection (LOD – the smallest amount that can be detected) for this compound is 0.003 parts per million (ppm). The mean of the positive detections was 1.6 ppm versus the EPA tolerance of 15 ppm. Pyrimethanil is a fungicide. 

The second most frequently detected pesticide residue on apple samples was DPA with 470 of 704 samples testing positive, or 67%. The LOD for this compound is 0.005 ppm. The mean of the positive detections was 0.46 ppm versus the EPA tolerance of 10 ppm. Diphenylamine (DPA) is a fungicide. 

Three apple samples tested positive for Chlorpropham. There is no EPA tolerance for this compound, meaning the FDA would have considered those three samples to be violative, even at this vanishingly small quantity. Chlorpropham is a plant growth regulator and herbicide. 

Previous PDP Testing of Apple Products

  • Apple juice: last tested in 2020
  • Apple sauce: last tested in 2017
  • Baby food apple sauce: last tested in 2023

Learn More:

  • The full PDP report is available here.
  • The searchable PDP database is available here.ast tested in 2020. 

For additional information contact:
Jim Bair
President & CEO
USApple