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Organic growers cannot use any synthetic chemicals under any circumstances, but they are allowed a tenth of the MRL for each conventionally permitted pesticide.

If you are wondering why organic foods should have any pesticide residues at all, pesticide drift from conventional farms (organic growers have to cover their crops in transit to the markets to avoid becoming contaminated with pesticide drift), and persistent pesticides in the soil and water are usually the causes.

Organic growers are only allowed to use some natural sprays for pest and disease control such as garlic spray, homeopathic preparations, or some potassium based soaps, but absolutely no synthetic chemicals. (To learn more about how they manage their crops without the help of chemicals go to "Organic Agriculture").

If these "organic" methods cannot control the pest or disease attacking the crop, the grower might loose the whole of their crop.

It takes a lot of skill and understanding of how nature works to be able to grow without chemicals.