California fines 6 companies selling tainted produce

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — Six companies that the state officials say ignored warnings and repeatedly sold imported fruits and vegetables that contained illegal pesticide residues have been fined up to $20,000, authorities said Tuesday.

The Department of Pesticide Regulations said the companies based in Los Angeles and San Mateo counties imported the tainted produce from Thailand, Taiwan, China and Mexico and predominantly sold it to ethnic minorities.

The produce sold includes lychee, longan, burdock root, ginger, taro root, fragrant pear, cactus leaves, cactus pears, purslane and squash, the department said.

Since 2013, DPR has repeatedly found imported produce for sale in California that exceeds U.S. pesticide limits.