One size does not fit all: Some thoughts on pesticides in the diets of infants and children

Tolerances, the legal limits of pesticide residues in food, should be health-based standards with adequate safety margins for all consumers, including infants and children. The current pesticide regulatory system does not ensure this. Tolerances are set to reflect “good agricultural practice.” If health-based standards are to be developed, regulators must collect more adequate toxicological data, and data on children's food consumption patterns. While basic changes are needed in the current regulatory system, consuming a diet rich in fruits and vegetables confers great health benefits. The recommendations of the NAS committee sought to make our very good food supply even better.