If a pesticide residue exceeds the tolerance, what is the consequence for the crop?

When pesticide residue on a crop exceeds the established tolerance levels, the crop is considered unsafe for consumption and is subject to condemnation and seizure. Tolerances are set by regulatory bodies to ensure that pesticide levels do not pose risks to human health or the environment. If a crop exceeds these limits, it fails to meet safety standards and cannot be sold or consumed, making it a public health concern. Therefore, proper action must be taken to remove or destroy the contaminated produce to protect consumers and prevent exposure to harmful substances.

The other options are not viable solutions in this situation. Washing the crop might reduce some surface residues but does not guarantee safety if residues are present internally or exceed tolerance levels. Feeding such crops to livestock could lead to violations of animal health regulations and potentially transfer harmful residues through the food chain. Harvesting early would not mitigate the risk associated with the pesticide residue, as the tolerance threshold is based on safety assessments; harvesting before the ideal time may yield immature or substandard crops without addressing the underlying issue of the contamination.