Study Finds ‘Forever Chemicals’ on California Fruits and Vegetables

Carried out by the Environmental Working Group, this study detected residues from per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in 37 percent of 930 produce samples grown in California. The samples spanned 78 types of conventionally grown crops. More than half of these crop types showed some level of contamination, highlighting how widespread the problem may be.

Certain fruits were found to be particularly affected. Over 90 percent of nectarines, plums, and peaches tested contained fludioxonil, a commonly used fungicide classified as a PFAS chemical. High contamination rates were also observed in cherries, strawberries, and grapes, with PFAS pesticides appearing in 80 percent or more of samples. Strawberries stood out for containing the widest range – up to 10 different PFAS pesticides. These findings are particularly notable given the economic importance of crops like strawberries and grapes, which generate billions of dollars annually in California agriculture.

PFAS chemicals are widely used in industrial applications and agriculture due to their durability, but their health concerns include potential effects on immune, reproductive, and developmental systems. The report also points to regulatory gaps, noting that dozens of PFAS-based pesticides are currently approved by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and used extensively throughout the country.

To read how environmental groups have recently raised the alarm after finding toxic “pesticide cocktails” in apples sold across Europe, see this news story on our website.