FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 6, 2001
Pesticide Residue Laboratory Ensures Safe Food
COLUMBIA---Sherry Garris, Pesticide Laboratory Supervisor with the South Carolina Department of Agriculture, recently reported the 1999-2000 pesticide residue testing results. The results show that our farmers are doing a good job in providing safe, wholesome food.
During FY 2000, the Pesticide Residue Section of the Food Laboratory performed 3,396 analyses on 1,132 samples. The report stated that 98.34% of the produce tested met food safety standards and were below the required tolerance levels set by the FDA.
Garris said, “South Carolina’s good compliance rate is because farmers follow very stringent rules and regulations set by the FDA. It’s our regulatory responsibility to make sure that everyone continues to meet those standards.”
The lab is responsible for pesticide residue testing of fruits and vegetables drawn from supermarkets and farmers markets statewide. Everything from apples to zucchini is analyzed to ensure the public of a safe food supply. Aside from tests on produce, the lab also tests pesticide residue in feed, soil, and some miscellaneous products submitted for analysis.
The Laboratory Division, located at 1101 Williams Street, performs tests on feeds, seeds, foods, cosmetics, and petroleum products through chemical, biological, and physical qualitative and quantitative analyses and testing technology to assure that goods meet acceptable standards of quality. The Division staffs a Food Laboratory, Feed Laboratory, Seed Laboratory, and Petroleum Products Laboratory.
The Division also registers animal and pet foods, frozen desserts, gasoline, and antifreeze; issues licenses for butterfat testers and milk samplers and weighmen; and grants permits to salvage food operations. Two to three thousand licenses, permits, and registrations are granted each year.
Goods and commodities sampled for the Laboratory are either official or submitted. Official samples are those which are taken for the purpose of monitoring compliance with the law or for investigation of complaints. Submitted samples are analyzed as a service to consumers, farmers, processors, and government agencies or research groups. Priority is given to emergency situations with human health implications and official samples collected for food safety protection programs.
Dr. Bill Brooks, Assistant Commissioner for Laboratory Services, said, “I’m proud of the work that Sherri and all of our Laboratory Division staff are doing. Their efforts protect consumers from unsafe products and assure an acceptable standard of quality for the people of the state.”
The South Carolina Department of Agriculture administers the Food and Cosmetic Act and Regulations; Commercial Feed Act and Regulations; Petroleum Products Law, Rules and Regulations; Antifreeze Law; Oleomargarine Law; Enriched Flour and Bread Law, Rules and Regulations; Rice Law, Rules and Regulations; Enriched Corn Meal & Corn Grits Law, Rules and Regulations; Milk Products/Imitations, Butterfat Content; Weight of Milk Law; Weights and Measures Law; Hazardous Substances Act; Seed Law and Noxious Weeds Law, Rules and Regulations; and the Frozen Dessert Law.
For more information about the Laboratory Services Division, call Dr. Bill Brooks or about Pesticide Residue Laboratory, call Sherry Garris at 803-737-9700.