Edible Cactus Puts Californians at Risk

Edible cactus pads have been removed from wholesale food stores in California after they were discovered to have trace amounts of a dangerous pesticide on them, according to the California Department of Public Health (CDPH).

The cactus pads of the prickly pear cactus are actually its leaves and supposedly taste a lot like green beans. The leaves are also a significant source of vitamins C and B-6, according to Healthy Eating. What the leaves are not supposed to be a good source of is pesticide.

However, a recent routine surveillance sample collected by the California Department of Pesticide Regulation showed trace amounts of Monocrotophos, a dangerous pesticide banned in the U.S. since 1989, on unmarked prickly pear pads sold in five different Californian locations.

The cactus pads were shipped by the case to California and were unbranded. The CDPH has revealed that the cactus was imported from Mexico. All crates of the product came with a supplier sticker that stated "Comercializadora De Chiles, Selectos Nieto S. De R.L. De C.V.," that allowed wholesale food stores to quickly identify the product and  take it off the shelves.

According to the CDPH, there has yet be any reported instances of food poisoning related to the cactus, but it is known that the products was purchased by some customers before it was recalled. It is unknown just how much of the pesticide is on each individual leaf, and how harmful consumption of the product can be, but the CDPH has issued a public health warning, urging consumers to dispose of the product if they suspect it to be contaminated.

The CDPH also wrote in their public health warning that boiling and peeling the cactus pads would likely remove most of the pesticide, but they sternly warned that any attempts at salvaging the food would be taking a risk.

The public health warning about unlabeled edible cactus pads was issued by the California Department of Public Health on February 16.