A California-based bean company has recalled three organic bulk bean products after routine testing revealed the presence of pesticide residue, a finding that violates federal organic standards and has prompted a warning to consumers nationwide.

Falcon Trading Company, Inc., based in Royal Oaks, California, and operating under the brand name SunRidge Farms, is recalling its Organic Black Beans, Chili Bean Blend Organic, and Sunset Soup Mix Organic. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) posted an alert about the recall on Thursday (March 26).

The three affected products are all sold in bulk packaging. They include FTC item #003040 Black Organic (UPC 086700930403), sold in 25-pound sacks; SRF item #003056 Chili Bean Blend Organic (UPC 086700030561), sold in 15-pound boxes; and SRF item #013000 Sunset Soup Mix Organic (UPC 086700130001), sold in 25-pound boxes. Because the items are sold in bulk bins where lot numbers can become mixed together, all lot numbers of all three products are affected.

The company said it found the problem on its own. "Falcon Trading Company has discovered through routine testing that the Organic Black Beans we purchased from a certified organic handler contained pesticide residue," the company said in a statement. "Due to the presence of pesticide residue in an organic product, we are initiating a product recall."

The company did not specify which pesticide was detected or whether it was synthetic. Common synthetic pesticides used in conventional bean farming include glyphosate, the active ingredient in Roundup, classified as a probable human carcinogen, as well as organophosphates like chlorpyrifos, which have been linked to neurological damage in children, and neonicotinoids, a class of insecticides harmful to pollinators. Any of these would violate organic certification standards, which strictly prohibit synthetic pesticides.

Pesticide residue can end up in organic products in several ways. Spray drift from neighboring conventional farms is a common cause. Contamination can also happen during processing or shipping if organic and non-organic goods share equipment that isn't properly cleaned between uses. In rarer cases, suppliers may mislabel conventional products as organic or use prohibited pesticides in violation of organic standards.

Experts note that the concern with pesticide residue in food is generally less about immediate poisoning and more about the long-term, cumulative effects of low-level exposure. Studies have linked early-life and prenatal pesticide exposure to neurological damage, reduced IQ, attention disorders, and developmental delays in children.

No illnesses have been reported in connection with the recall.

Consumers who have purchased any of the recalled products are urged to return them to the place of purchase for a full refund. Anyone with questions can contact Falcon Trading Company by phone at (831) 786-7000 or by email at info@sunridgefarms.com. Additional information on food recalls is available through the FDA's Recalls, Market Withdrawals, & Safety Alerts page.

Rob Powers