Chlorpyrifos Backgrounder

Pesticide Data Program Backgrounder

USDA Testing Confirms Apple and Applesauce Products Are Well Within Federal Safety Standards Background In November 2024, USDA released its Pesticide Data Program (PDP) report for calendar year 2023. The report includes pesticide residue data from samples of fresh apples and also baby food applesauce. Each year, the U.S. Department of Agriculture selects a basket … Continued

Key Nutrients in Apples: “An Apple a Day”

Health Benefits of Apples A medium apple provides meaningful nutrition in every bite. This versatile fruit offers a balanced mix of vitamins, minerals, fiber, and natural carbohydrates that supports multiple body systems… all in a delicious, easy-to-eat package! Vitamin C: Immune and Antioxidant Support Vitamin C in apples helps strengthen the immune system and may … Continued

Agriculture Labor Backgrounder

Behind the Farm Workforce Modernization Act: What’s at Stake for Growers Update In March of 2021, the House passed the bipartisan Farm Workforce Modernization Act (FWMA), for the second time. Once again, USApple advocated for the bill and most “apple” congressional members voted for the measure.  Attention then turned to the Senate, where Mike Bennet … Continued

Apple Stages: From the Tree to the Grocery Store

From Harvest Bins to Refrigerated Shelves: How Freshness and Speed Define the Apple Supply Chain What are the stages of an apple after it’s picked? Apples picked in the orchard are carefully (to avoid bruising) placed in harvest bins with a capacity of roughly 20 bushels (each bushel weighs about 42 pounds) that have been … Continued

Apple Storage Backgrounder

Refrigeration and Controlled Atmosphere: Keeping Apples Fresh Beyond Harvest How old is an apple by the time someone buys it at the grocery store? The question should not be about the “age” of the apple, or the time since it was picked, but rather it should be about how fresh the apple is. Growers and … Continued

Apples and Wax Backgrounder

From Orchard to Aisle: How Natural and Food-Grade Waxes Protect Your Apples If you walked out into an orchard, picked an apple from the tree and rubbed that apple on your shirt, you would notice that it shined − you´ve just polished the natural wax that an apple produces to protect its high-water content. Without … Continued

Listeria Backgrounder

Protecting Public Health: The Importance of Monitoring and Managing Listeria in Apples Listeria monocytogenes Listeria monocytogenes is an environmental pathogenic bacteria that can commonly be found in soil, water and vegetative matter. Because of the inherent association between Listeria and agricultural environments, the potential exists for Listeria to be introduced onto a variety of fresh … Continued

Environmental Working Group’s Annual “Dirty Dozen” List Backgrounder

Apples Are Safe: Setting the Record Straight on Apple Safety and the Flawed Claims Behind EWG’s List Why is the “Dirty Dozen” list flawed? What is USApple’s official response to this year’s “Dirty Dozen” list? The Environmental Working Group’s “Dirty Dozen” list misleads consumers and is based on inaccurate reporting. How do we explain safe … Continued

DPA Backgrounder

Protecting Apples After Harvest: Why Diphenylamine (DPA) Matters for Freshness, Safety, and Supply Activist groups have expressed concern about the fungicide diphenylamine (DPA), an important and widely used tool by the apple industry for post-harvest storage.

Chlorpyrifos Backgrounder

What the Data Really Shows About Chlorpyrifos and Apple Safety Regulatory Timeline and Legal Challenges Several years ago, environmental groups petitioned EPA to revoke all tolerances for chlorpyrifos due to alleged impacts on drinking water and human health. The claims were largely based on a series of epidemiological studies that could not be substantiated or … Continued