Is Acephate Banned? EU vs US Status, Risks & Where It Hides
TL;DR: Acephate is banned in the EU but allowed in the US (pesticides).
CAS 30560-19-1.
Is Acephate banned in the EU?
| EU status | Banned |
|---|---|
| US status | Allowed |
| Risk level | high |
| Where it shows up | vegetables, cranberries, soybeans |
| CAS number | 30560-19-1 |
What is Acephate?
Acephate (CAS 30560-19-1) is a insecticide used in industrial agriculture.
Why is Acephate used in food?
It is applied as a systemic organophosphate insecticide.
Is Acephate dangerous? Documented risks
Not approved in the EU over neurotoxicity and metabolite methamidophos.
Common US products containing Acephate
- vegetables
- cranberries
- soybeans
How to avoid Acephate: safer alternatives
Choose USDA-certified-organic produce, buy from EU-importing brands, and wash and peel conventional produce. BannedPantry flags products and crops associated with high-residue pesticides.
Frequently asked questions about Acephate
Is Acephate banned in the EU?
Yes — Acephate is banned in the European Union, while it remains allowed for use in the United States.
Is Acephate allowed in the US?
Acephate is allowed in the United States. US regulators have not imposed the same restrictions that apply across the EU.
Why is Acephate a concern?
Independent reviews flag Acephate for documented health or environmental risks, which is why EU regulators acted while the US has not.
How do I avoid Acephate?
Choose certified-organic or EU-imported products, check labels, and scan barcodes with BannedPantry to flag Acephate instantly.
Scan any product's barcode and instantly see if it contains Acephate or other ingredients banned overseas.
Scan a product free →Related pesticides
Avoiding banned food additives? Check your beauty shelf, too.
Sources
- 85 pesticides outlawed elsewhere still used in the US — Center for Biological Diversity
- Residues of pesticides banned in the EU in imported food — Veblen Institute
- EPA Pesticide Registration — U.S. EPA
Our scores are never influenced by brands. Last updated 6/11/2026.