Cucumber, Pepper Quarantine Lifted

The state Department of Agriculture says it has lifted its quarantine of ABC Brand cucumbers and red bell peppers after testing shipments throughout the state and finding no illegal pesticide levels.

Inspectors quarantined the produce after finding high levels of the pesticide methamidophos on cucumbers and red bell peppers during a routine inspection at Raley’s Distribution Center in West Sacramento. The 53-store chain immediately removed the vegetables from its stores.

Inspectors, however, did not find illegal pesticide levels on produce tested at other wholesalers throughout the state, agriculture official Doug Okumura said.