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Federal Grade Standards for Fresh Produce: Linkages to Pesticide Use

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  • Powers, Nicholas J.
  • Heifner, Richard G.

Abstract

Some have criticized Federal grading of fresh produce for setting unnecessarily high standards for external appearance. These standards allegedly encourage use of chemical pesticides by growers and packers. Federal grades play an important commercial role by helping buyers and sellers exchange information about produce quality, but grades do not convey information about pesticide use or its residues. Modifying standards or establishing a certification program (separate from grades) to include information about pesticides might help consumers signal their preferences to growers and packers for produce with fewer pesticide residues. Assessing the potential effects of such changes calls for research to measure: (1) relationships between pesticide use and product appearance, and (2) consumers' tradeoffs between product appearance and freedom from pesticides.

Suggested Citation

  • Powers, Nicholas J. & Heifner, Richard G., 1993. "Federal Grade Standards for Fresh Produce: Linkages to Pesticide Use," Agricultural Information Bulletins 309690, United States Department of Agriculture, Economic Research Service.
    • Handle: RePEc:ags:uersab:309690
    DOI: 10.22004/ag.econ.309690
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    References listed on IDEAS

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