Levels, Risks, and Healthier Alternatives

Pesticides are widely used in conventional agriculture to protect crops from pests, weeds, and diseases.
While they play a role in maintaining crop yields and ensuring a stable food supply, concerns about pesticide residues lingering on or in our food have grown, particularly regarding potential long-term health impacts.

In the UK and US, regulatory bodies monitor these residues to ensure they remain within safe legal limits, known as Maximum Residue Levels (MRLs). However, even low-level exposure over time can raise questions, especially for vulnerable groups like pregnant women, children, and those with compromised immune systems.

This article examines the latest data on pesticide levels in UK and US foods, explores potential health risks, and provides practical advice on minimising exposure.

By choosing sustainable, pesticide-free alternatives—such as growing your own nutrient-dense microgreens at home—you can take control of your diet and support better health outcomes. For more on the benefits of microgreens, see our ultimate guide to microgreens.

Pesticide Levels in UK Foods

In the UK, the Expert Committee on Pesticide Residues in Food (PRiF) oversees the monitoring of pesticide residues through a quarterly programme managed by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE).

This risk-based surveillance tests a range of UK-grown and imported foods, focusing on commodities likely to contain residues based on past data, dietary trends, and import patterns.

The most recent available data from Quarter 1 2024 shows that, in Great Britain, 48.6% of 494 samples tested contained detectable pesticide residues, while in Northern Ireland, 54.7% of 159 samples had residues.

Encouragingly, the vast majority were within legal MRLs: 98.4% in Great Britain and 100% in Northern Ireland.

Only 1.6% of Great Britain samples exceeded MRLs, primarily in items like beans with pods, chilli peppers, and speciality root vegetables. No exceedances were reported in Northern Ireland for this quarter.

These figures align with broader European trends. The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) 2023 report, which includes data from across the EU (relevant for comparison post-Brexit), found that 58% of samples had no quantifiable residues, 38.3% contained residues within limits, and 3.7% exceeded MRLs.

Health risk assessments in the UK report concluded that none of the residues posed expected health effects, even in cases of exceedances, due to conservative safety factors and typical consumption patterns (e.g., peeling produce). However, ongoing exposure to multiple residues—found in some samples—warrants caution, as combined effects are still being studied.

It’s worth noting that post-Brexit changes have led to adjustments in some MRLs, with critics arguing that certain limits have been relaxed for imported foods, potentially increasing residue allowances for pesticides like glyphosate in beans.

For those concerned, opting for organic or home-grown options can provide peace of mind. Learn more about avoiding industrial farming risks in our post on the hidden costs of the industrial food system.

Pesticide Levels in US Foods

In the United States, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) establishes MRLs (referred to as tolerances), while the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) conducts annual monitoring through the Pesticide Data Program (PDP). This programme tests thousands of domestic and imported food samples for hundreds of pesticides.

The latest 2023 PDP Annual Summary revealed that over 99% of tested samples had pesticide residues below EPA tolerances, with 38.8% showing no detectable residues at all. This means approximately 61.2% contained residues, but nearly all were compliant.

The report emphasised that these levels pose no safety concerns based on risk assessments, which consider both acute (short-term) and chronic (long-term) exposure. Fruits and vegetables like strawberries, spinach, and apples often showed higher residue frequencies, but exceedances were rare.

Despite these reassuring figures, consumer advocacy groups highlight that “below tolerance” doesn’t mean zero risk, especially with cumulative exposure to multiple pesticides.

The PDP data supports the EPA’s ongoing reviews, but some pesticides classified as probable carcinogens (e.g., glyphosate) continue to spark debate. For context, similar concerns apply to preservatives on produce—explore our related article on preservatives on fruits and vegetables: potential health risks.

Potential Health Risks of Pesticide Residues

While residues within legal limits are deemed safe by regulators, emerging research suggests possible links to health issues with prolonged low-level exposure.

Pesticides can act as endocrine disruptors, potentially affecting hormone balance, reproduction, and development—particularly relevant during pregnancy, as discussed in our pillar on microgreens during pregnancy: nutrition, safety, and benefits.

Some, like organophosphates, may impact neurological function, while others (e.g., neonicotinoids) are associated with biodiversity loss but also human health concerns like reduced fertility.

Vulnerable populations, including children and expectant mothers, face higher risks due to developing systems. Studies indicate potential ties to conditions like ADHD, autism spectrum disorders, and certain cancers, though causation is complex and often confounded by other factors.

Importantly, UK and US assessments incorporate safety margins (often 100-fold), so exceedances don’t always mean immediate harm. Still, minimising exposure aligns with precautionary principles for long-term wellness. For targeted

nutritional support without residues, consider sulforaphane-rich microgreens in our microgreens for health and wellness guide.

Minimising Your Exposure to Pesticides

Although most foods comply with regulations, proactive steps can further reduce your pesticide intake and promote sustainable eating. Here are evidence-based strategies to make your diet safer and more nutritious:

• Choose organic produce whenever possible, as organic farming prohibits synthetic pesticides, leading to significantly lower residue levels. Look for certified options in supermarkets or local markets.
• Wash and scrub fruits and vegetables thoroughly under running water; use a brush for tougher skins. While this removes surface residues, it may not eliminate systemic ones absorbed into the plant.
• Peel fruits and vegetables with edible skins, such as apples, potatoes, and carrots, to strip away outer layers where residues concentrate. Note that peeling can also remove beneficial nutrients, so balance this with variety.
• Opt for locally-grown or seasonal produce from small-scale farmers, who often use fewer pesticides than large industrial operations. Farmers’ markets are a great source—plus, they reduce food miles for environmental benefits.
• Grow your own pesticide-free food at home. Microgreens are an easy, space-efficient start, requiring minimal effort and yielding nutrient-packed greens in just 7-10 days. Our complete beginner’s guide to growing microgreens at home covers everything from seeds to harvest, using eco-friendly systems like our GrowGarden™.
• Incorporate microgreens into meals for a residue-free nutrient boost. Varieties like broccoli and radish offer up to 40 times more vitamins than mature veggies—try them in recipes from our 20+ delicious microgreens recipes.
• Support brands committed to organic practices, like Skye Mountain. Our Water Once MicroWick™ punnets and subscriptions ensure fresh, chemical-free microgreens delivered to your door. Browse our shop for kits, accessories, and bundles, such as the Sulforaphane-Rich Bundle for detoxification support.

By adopting these habits, you not only minimise pesticide exposure but also enhance your diet’s nutritional value and sustainability. Growing microgreens empowers you to bypass conventional farming pitfalls, fostering self-sufficiency and better health. For personalised advice, book a free microgreens home growing consultation.

References:

1. Health and Safety Executive. (2025). Quarter 1 2024 report on the pesticide residues monitoring programme. Retrieved from https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/pesticide-residues-in-food-quarterly-monitoring-results-for-2024/quarter-1-2024-report-on-the-pesticide-residues-monitoring-programme
2. United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). (2024). Pesticide Data Program Annual Summary, Calendar Year 2023. Retrieved from https://www.ams.usda.gov/sites/default/files/media/2023PDPAnnualSummary.pdf
3. European Food Safety Authority (EFSA). (2025). The 2023 European Union report on pesticide residues in food. Retrieved from https://www.efsa.europa.eu/en/efsajournal/pub/9398