If an agricultural commodity has pesticide residues exceeding the legal tolerance, what is the likely consequence?

When an agricultural commodity is found to have pesticide residues that exceed the established legal tolerances, the most significant consequence is that it is likely to be quarantined and removed from sale and distribution. This action is taken to protect public health and maintain food safety standards. Regulatory bodies enforce these tolerances to ensure that the food reaching consumers is safe and free from harmful levels of pesticide residues.

If a commodity exceeds these limits, it poses a potential risk to consumers which necessitates immediate action. Quarantine measures prevent the affected product from entering the market, effectively halting its distribution until it can be determined safe or properly handled. This ensures that consumers are not exposed to potentially harmful substances in their food supply.

In contrast, other options like banning sales in certain states, restricting sales to certified farmers' markets, or allowing sales only outside the United States do not adequately address the health risks that arise from excessive pesticide residues. The primary goal of regulations regarding pesticide residues is to ensure consistent safety across all markets and to prevent any products that could endanger consumers from being available in any form. Thus, quarantining and removing the product from sale and distribution is the most comprehensive and protective response to this issue.