What is the term for the amount of pesticide that stays on or in a raw farm product or processed food?

• A. Adjuvant
• B. Emulsion
• C. Residue
• D. Tolerance

Answer: (C)

Pesticide residue is the amount that remains on or in a raw farm product or processed food after the pesticide has been applied and treated. This is what regulators measure to determine if a food sample complies with the allowable levels, or tolerances, set for that pesticide on that commodity. The actual residue can be affected by washing, peeling, or cooking, and by processing methods.

The other terms don’t fit because an adjuvant is something added to enhance the pesticide’s performance, not the pesticide itself; an emulsion is a type of mixture used to apply the pesticide; and a tolerance is the legal maximum allowed residue, not the actual amount detected.