By By Karen Graham Jul 30, 2015 in Food The California Department of Pesticide Regulation (DPR) has fined six companies based in Los Angeles and San Mateo counties for ignoring warnings and repeatedly selling imported fruits and vegetables grown with illegal pesticides. In the statement, DPR said: "Since 2013, DPR has repeatedly found imported produce for sale in California that exceeds U.S. pesticide limits. This includes Cactus Pads, imported from Mexico, that were tainted with an organophosphate-based pesticide which was banned by the U.S. EPA more than 30 years ago because of health concerns." The “Marquez Produce sold produce imported from Mexico including Cactus Leaves, Tomatillos and Squash with illegal pesticide residues. The produce was sold between April 2013 and May 2014. Caption: cactus leaves quarantined. CDPR However, Leahy also said, “These companies were importing and selling produce to stores that primarily cater to California’s ethnic communities. We protect all Californians and will not stand by and watch as companies gamble with people’s health and flout our laws. This action is a reminder that we are serious about protecting all consumers from any adverse risk of pesticides.” “Yi Bao Produce Group sold produce imported from China such as Ginger, Taro Root, Longan and Fragrant Pear with illegal pesticide residues. The produce was sold between March 2013 and September 2014.” Caption: Longan destroyed. CDPR The six companies being fined include: Top Quality Produce Inc of La Puente, Calif., Yi Bao Produce Group of Vernon, CA, Primary Export International Inc. of South San Francisco, CA, Marquez Produce of Los Angeles, La Sucursal Produce Inc. of Los Angeles, and V&L Produce, Inc. of Vernon, CA. In every case, each company was cited on multiple (from four to as many as seven) separate occasions for selling pesticide-tainted fruits and/or vegetables between March 2013 and October 2014. While the DPR Pesticide Reside Monitoring Program may be the most extensive program of its kind in the nation, I still wonder why these companies were not taken to task earlier, rather than waiting almost a year since the dates cited by the DPR. Another question preys on my mind after hearing about these cases. With the supposedly thorough inspections being done by FDA inspectors on imports into this country, how in the devil did all this produce manage to get by the FDA? We're not talking about one or two cases of fruit or cactus, but huge amounts. According to a DPR statement released on July 28, the six import companies could face fines ranging from $10,000 to $20,000 each for violating U.S. and state laws under the California Pesticide Residue Monitoring Program.In the statement, DPR said: "Since 2013, DPR has repeatedly found imported produce for sale in California that exceeds U.S. pesticide limits. This includes Cactus Pads, imported from Mexico, that were tainted with an organophosphate-based pesticide which was banned by the U.S. EPA more than 30 years ago because of health concerns."The import companies were cited for selling lychees, cactus pears and leaves, tomatillos, longan, taro root, and other items imported from Mexico, China, Taiwan, and Thailand. The imported fruits and vegetables were traced back to the companies, and in each case, the importers were warned about selling produce with illegal pesticide residue in the state.However, subsequent investigations showed the companies continued to import and sell the products, knowing they were illegally selling the products in the state of California. When illegal pesticide residues were found, DPR immediately ordered the produce destroyed and/or quarantined. "They were given ample opportunities to change their methods but chose not to do so," said Brian Leahy, DPR director.Leahy also said, “These companies were importing and selling produce to stores that primarily cater to California’s ethnic communities. We protect all Californians and will not stand by and watch as companies gamble with people’s health and flout our laws. This action is a reminder that we are serious about protecting all consumers from any adverse risk of pesticides.”The six companies being fined include: Top Quality Produce Inc of La Puente, Calif., Yi Bao Produce Group of Vernon, CA, Primary Export International Inc. of South San Francisco, CA, Marquez Produce of Los Angeles, La Sucursal Produce Inc. of Los Angeles, and V&L Produce, Inc. of Vernon, CA.In every case, each company was cited on multiple (from four to as many as seven) separate occasions for selling pesticide-tainted fruits and/or vegetables between March 2013 and October 2014. While the DPR Pesticide Reside Monitoring Program may be the most extensive program of its kind in the nation, I still wonder why these companies were not taken to task earlier, rather than waiting almost a year since the dates cited by the DPR.Another question preys on my mind after hearing about these cases. With the supposedly thorough inspections being done by FDA inspectors on imports into this country, how in the devil did all this produce manage to get by the FDA? We're not talking about one or two cases of fruit or cactus, but huge amounts. This opinion article was written by an independent writer. The opinions and views expressed herein are those of the author and are not necessarily intended to reflect those of DigitalJournal.com More about California, department of pesticide regulation, pesticidetainted produce, willfully selling, Ethnic minorities More news from California department of pestic... pesticidetainted pro... willfully selling Ethnic minorities