US environmental regulators are reviewing new pesticide requests

The US environmental regulators are accepting public comments on new requests to use pesticides on food. This means companies want to use new chemicals or use existing ones on different crops.

Every few months, companies ask for permission to use new pesticides or expand the use of old ones. These requests are the first step in deciding what chemicals are allowed on the food people eat. The public comment period is one of the few times outside experts can weigh in on these decisions.