Fungicide Found In Some Potatoes

The Idaho Potato Commission says routine tests have turned up tiny amounts of an unregistered fungicide on certain fresh Idaho potatoes.

The amounts are far below food safety levels for other fruits and vegetables, the commission said Thursday, so there is no health hazard.

But the chemical, sodium orthophenylphenol (SOPP), is not approved for use on potatoes.

The commission said in a routine survey in New York, the U.S. Department of Agriculture found traces of the fungicide on Idaho potatoes.

The Food and Drug Administration took samples from 52 fresh packing operations and truck unloading locations during the last two weeks. Of the 52 samples taken, four showed detectable residue levels.