# Plain Language Summary: BAN OPs From Our Food Act

This bill would ban the use of organophosphate pesticides on food sold in the United States. Organophosphates are a class of insecticides that have been used for decades to kill bugs on crops, but they work by damaging the nervous systems of insects. The concern is that these same chemicals can also harm human nervous systems, particularly in children whose brains are still developing. If this bill becomes law, farmers would no longer be allowed to use these pesticides on any food crops, and any food containing residues from these chemicals would be considered unsafe and illegal to sell.

Right now, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) sets limits on how much organophosphate residue is allowed to remain on food when it reaches your table. This bill would eliminate those limits entirely by saying that any amount of organophosphate residue makes food illegal to sell. This is a significant change because it moves from "safe at this level" to "not allowed at all." The practical effect would be that farmers growing fruits, vegetables, and other crops would need to switch to alternative pest control methods, whether that's different types of pesticides, organic approaches, or other techniques.

For consumers, this could mean changes in food availability and potentially higher prices in the short term as farmers adapt to new farming practices. However, supporters of the bill argue it would reduce children's exposure to neurotoxic chemicals through the food they eat. The bill specifically targets organophosphates because of growing scientific evidence linking them to developmental problems in children, including reduced IQ and behavioral issues. Families concerned about pesticide exposure on their food would likely see this as a protective measure, while some in the agricultural industry might view it as an unnecessary burden on farming operations.

BAN OPs From Our Food Act

Velázquez, Nydia M.

Ban All Neurotoxic Organophosphate Pesticides From Our Food Act or the BAN OPs From Our Food Act This bill prohibits any organophosphate pesticides in food. (The Environmental Protection Agency banned chlorpyrifos, a type of organophosphate pesticide, from food in February 2022.)