of data compiled by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) between 2011 and 2013, CBC News recently found that 46% of organic produce sold in Canada contained some pesticides, and 2% actually exceeded the maximum allowable limits. Seventy-seven percent of organic grape samples tested positive for pesticides, as did 45% of apples and 30% of carrots. (By comparison, 78% of non-organic produce contained pesticide residue, while 5% exceeded maximum allowable limits.)The findings are in line with those of researchers at Stanford University, who in 2012 published a review of thousands of papers about food safety and quality. They found that while organic food is 30% less likely to have traces of pesticides, it is not 100% pesticide-free. The researchers also found that “differences in risk for exceeding maximum allowed limits were small” between organic and non-organic produce.
