AUSTIN – Texas has launched an investigation into major grocery chains accused of spraying pesticides on fruits and vegetables in-store without disclosing the practice to consumers.
The pesticide in question is Produce Maxx, an EPA-registered antimicrobial treatment containing high concentrations of hypochlorous acid, a form of chlorine.
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According to the release, thousands of stores across the United States use misting systems to spray the product on produce to control bacteria and extend shelf life.
Consumers who choose to buy organic products often assume those items have not been treated with harmful chemicals, such as pesticides, while on store shelves.
However, the release states that these major grocers are not informing customers that organic produce must be washed before consumption, even though federal law requires produce sprayed with chlorine to be rinsed with drinking water in order to maintain USDA organic certification.
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton alleges that the grocery stores conceal their misting equipment and Produce Maxx containers from public view and provide no signage or warning labels informing customers of the pesticide treatment or the need to wash organic produce.
“Many Texans choose organic produce specifically to avoid harmful pesticides,” Paxton said. “It’s not only wrong for grocers to mislead consumers about chemicals being sprayed on their food, it may very well be illegal. There should be no shortcuts when it comes to food safety, and my office will ensure that Texas consumers are not misled about the state of the produce they purchase.”
Paxton is demanding that if Texas grocery stores continue using antimicrobial pesticides such as Produce Maxx, they must, at a minimum, install clear signage informing consumers that their produce has been sprayed with a pesticide and include instructions to rinse it before consumption, in accordance with federal law and USDA guidelines.