Is there a “safe” level of chlorpyrifos residue on food for children? NO.
Yesterday, US Senator Kirsten Gillibrand proposed an amendment to the Senate version of the Farm Bill that would prohibit public schools from serving fruits and vegetables that contain ANY residue of chlorpyrifos, an organophosphate that can increase risk for cognitive and developmental delays in young children.
Nearly twenty years ago, chlorpyrifos was banned from household use, but it is still widely used as a pesticide. Although the proposal was voted down last night, we applaud Senator Gillibrand’s efforts to protect children’s health and eliminate exposure to this dangerous pesticide. We also applaud Costco’s recent decision to expand organic offerings and urge suppliers to phase out chlorpyrifos and neonicotinoid pesticides.
Tell your lawmakers! Tell your retailers! Everyone deserves safe food.