Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has launched a statewide investigation into major grocery chains accused of spraying pesticides on organic fruits and vegetables without informing consumers.
The unnamed grocery stores allegedly used pesticides on organic produce “in-store but fail to disclose this practice to consumers,” a press release from Paxton’s office read.
“The pesticide at issue is Produce Maxx, an EPA-registered antimicrobial pesticide containing high concentrations of hypochlorous acid—a form of chlorine. Thousands of stores across the United States spray it on produce through misting systems to control bacteria and extend shelf life,” the press release continued.
“It’s not only wrong for grocers to mislead consumers about chemicals being sprayed on their food—it may very well be illegal,” Paxton wrote on X.
NEW: I'm investigating major grocery chains for spraying organic produce with pesticides without telling consumers.
It's not only wrong for grocers to mislead consumers about chemicals being sprayed on their food—it may very well be illegal. pic.twitter.com/lMK2yawntb
— Attorney General Ken Paxton (@KenPaxtonTX) January 12, 2026
Click2Houston has more:
Consumers who choose to buy organic products often assume those items have not been treated with harmful chemicals, such as pesticides, while on store shelves.
ADVERTISEMENTHowever, the release states that these major grocers are not informing customers that organic produce must be washed before consumption, even though federal law requires produce sprayed with chlorine to be rinsed with drinking water in order to maintain USDA organic certification.
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton alleges that the grocery stores conceal their misting equipment and Produce Maxx containers from public view and provide no signage or warning labels informing customers of the pesticide treatment or the need to wash organic produce.
“Attorney General Paxton is demanding that if Texas grocery stores continue using antimicrobial pesticides like Produce Maxx, they must, at minimum, install clear signage informing consumers that their produce has been sprayed with a pesticide and include instructions to rinse before consumption in accordance with federal law and USDA guidelines,” the press release read.
GROCERY SHOCK: Texas AG @KenPaxtonTX Launches Statewide Probe Into Major Chains Spraying Pesticides on Organic Produce
Consumers buying organic to avoid chemicals may be unknowingly exposed to antimicrobial misting systems using chlorine-based pesticides — with no warnings or… pic.twitter.com/snhNkbGV3a
— The Dallas Express News (@DallasExpress) January 12, 2026
KVUE noted:
According to the Environmental Protection Agency, any product that claims to kill pests is registered as a pesticide, however, it’s not in the same group as products with synthetic chemicals.
