What are "pesticide residues"?

Pesticide residues refer specifically to the chemicals that remain on crops, as well as in soil or water, following the application of pesticides. These residues can occur due to the use of herbicides, insecticides, fungicides, and other pesticide products, which are applied to manage pests but can leave behind traces that may be detected on the surfaces of fruits, vegetables, and other agricultural products. Understanding pesticide residues is crucial for ensuring food safety, compliance with regulations, and consumer health standards, as they are closely monitored by regulatory bodies to determine safe limits for consumption.

The other options don't accurately capture the definition of pesticide residues. Leftover containers indicate disposal issues rather than the chemical remnants on crops. Waste from manufacturing pertains to production processes but does not relate to post-application traces. Lastly, accidental spills in storage areas deal with mishandling and do not refer to the substances that persist on treated plants.