More pesticide residue is now allowed on cotton, lettuce, and soybeans

US environmental regulators have increased the maximum allowed levels of a pesticide called cyclobutrifluram on certain crops. This means farmers can use more of this pesticide on cotton, lettuce, and soybeans without violating federal rules.

Every pesticide has a maximum residue limit. This limit dictates how much of a chemical can remain on food products when they are sold. When regulators raise this limit, it allows for greater use of the pesticide in farming. This change directly affects what consumers eat and the environmental load from agricultural chemicals.