US lettuce to face increased testing

US lettuce exports to Japan are to face increased testing after a sample was found to be over the legal limit for a pesticide residue. On 16th May, a residue of 3.1 ppm of Permethrin was found, and the legal limit is 3.0 ppm. Japanese Food Sanitation Law stipulates that after a violation occurs, testing must increase to 50 percent. According to the same law, if a second violation is found within the next year, all U.S. lettuce imports into Japan will face 'testing by order', which requires all products to be tested and held until results show there is no violation. U.S. lettuce exporters are advised to be very careful that their shipments do not violate pesticide residue standards.