{"id":5772,"date":"2023-01-11T10:39:11","date_gmt":"2023-01-11T16:39:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/toxinfreeusa.org\/?p=5772"},"modified":"2023-01-11T21:47:11","modified_gmt":"2023-01-12T03:47:11","slug":"pesticides-in-butter-getting-worse-not-better","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/toxinfreeusa.org\/pesticides-in-butter-getting-worse-not-better\/","title":{"rendered":"Pesticides in Butter Getting Worse, Not Better"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

With the usual fanfare, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) released its most recent annual Pesticide Data Program (PDP) report<\/a> with data gathered from the agency\u2019s annual testing program during 2021. The test selections are limited and the foods and commodities tested are rotated each year. The program includes tests for an extensive but incomplete list of EPA-approved agricultural pesticides and their metabolites as well as certain contaminants.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Most people don\u2019t consider that butter could be contaminated with pesticides so we took a deep dive into the test results for conventional butter and compared the findings to the previous report on 2013 butter testing.<\/p>\n\n\n

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In 2021, the Pesticide Data Program analyzed 177 butter samples. PDP detected 15 different residues for 14 distinct pesticides (15 including different metabolites) in the butter samples. In the previous butter testing in 2013, nearly 4 times as many butter samples were tested (688) and only 8 pesticides were detected.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Six of the 15 pesticide residues detected in 2021 were found in more than 5% of the samples tested. In 2013, only 5 of the 8 pesticides were found in more than 5% of the samples. From year to year, the percentage of samples contaminated by each of the most prevalent pesticides rose. For example, in 2013, only 15.7% of the 688 samples tested were found to contain Bifenthrin, a neurotoxic pyrethroid insecticide. In 2021, 36.7% of the 177 samples tested were found to contain Bifenthrin. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The average number of pesticides per sample increased from 1.43 in 2013 to 2.14 pesticides per sample in 2021.<\/p>\n\n\n

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The most prevalent pesticides, found in over 5% of the samples, were DDE (considered a contaminant – a metabolite of DDT, banned in 1972), Novaluron, Permethrin, Bifenthrin, Piperonyl Butoxide and Cyhalothrin. Also present, in less than 5% of the butter samples, were Ametoctradin (V-1), Buprofezin, Difenoconazole, Diphenylamine (DPA), Fenpyroximate, Flubendiamide, Methoxyfenozide, Pyraclostrobin, and Thiabendazole.<\/p>\n\n\n

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What are the health risks associated with the pesticides and contaminants found?<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Three of the most prevalent pesticides detected in butter in 2021 (Bifenthrin, Cyhalothrin and Permethrin and its metabolites) are synthetic, neurotoxic pyrethroid insecticides. A fourth, Novaluron, is an insecticide linked to reproductive toxicity in mammals. A study published in 2021<\/a> linked Novaluron to detrimental effects on sperm functions. And DDE, the metabolite of DDT, is a carcinogen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Contaminants<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

In addition to pesticides that are registered for use on the tested food or crop, the USDA also tested for pesticides considered \u201cEnvironmental Contaminants\u201d and related metabolites\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n

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DDT is a fat-soluble, highly toxic herbicide that was banned in 1972. The herbicide and its metabolites are linked to cancer, with studies linking it specifically to breast cancer, even generations after exposure. Sadly, DDE, a metabolite of DDT, was detected in nearly half of the butter samples tested in 2021.<\/p>\n\n\n

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But interestingly enough, it does not include glyphosate, glufosinate, dicamba or 2,4-D herbicides used in massive quantities on GMO commodity crops. Dicamba and 2,4-D are especially drift-prone. Glyphosate has become ubiquitous.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Also noticeably absent was testing for PFAS, which has been found to be an inert ingredient in many pesticides. PFAS also makes its way into conventional food crops from contaminated fertilizers known as biosolids made from sewage sludge containing PFAS forever chemicals. The USDA not only allows this practice but actively supports it!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How safe is our food?<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The USDA will tell you that the levels of pesticides in butter are within safe tolerance levels established by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). However, several flaws have been found in the regulatory methodology. Here are some of the flaws:<\/p>\n\n\n\n