New law will make pesticide use more visible to shoppers and families By Kristen Dalli of ConsumerAffairs September 28, 2026 California has passed a new law requiring the state to track and publicly disclose the use of PFAS pesticides on crops.EWG says more than 2.5 million pounds of PFAS pesticides are applied to California crops each year.The new tracking system could give consumers, farmers, and regulators more information about where these chemicals are being used.California is taking a new step toward tracking forever chemicals used on crops. Gov. Gavin Newsom signed AB 1603 into law on Sept. 28, requiring the state to monitor and publicly disclose the use of pesticides containing PFAS.PFAS refers to a large group of chemicals known for being extremely persistent in the environment. Some PFAS have also been linked to health concerns, including cancer, immune system suppression, and reproductive and developmental harm, according to the Environmental Working Group (EWG).The organization says state agencies previously did not systematically track how much PFAS pesticide was being used on California crops. The new law is intended to change that.Signing AB 1603 into law is a vital step toward ensuring Californias agricultural legacy is defined by health and innovation, Assemblymember Nick Schultz (D-Burbank) said in a news release. Tracking and monitoring is the crucial first step. You cant fix what you cant see.What the new law requiresAB 1603 establishes a class-based definition of PFAS pesticides and requires California's Department of Pesticide Regulation to systematically track their use and make that information available to the public.That could provide a clearer picture of which crops are being treated, where the chemicals are being used, and in what quantities.EWG says its research found that more than 2.5 million pounds of PFAS pesticides are applied to California crops each year. Its testing also found PFAS pesticides on nine out of 10 California-grown samples of non-organic peaches, nectarines, and plums that were tested by the state. The organization also reported finding PFAS pesticides in local waterways and sediment.The law is narrower than the original proposal, according to EWG, following lobbying from agricultural and chemical industry groups.What this means for consumersFor shoppers, the biggest immediate change is more information rather than a ban. The new law does not prohibit PFAS pesticides from being used on California crops. Instead, it creates a system for tracking and disclosing their use.EWG says the data could eventually help support decisions… [TheTopNews] Read More.
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