EPA dumps rules allowing potato pesticide in food

Federal regulators said they're revoking regulations that allow food to contain a pesticide used on edible crops including potatoes and sugar beets, citing danger to human health.

The Environmental Protection Agency says it's identified risks indicating the chemical doesn't meet the agency's rigorous food safety standards.

Environmentalists greeted the announcement, saying the EPA's move is a significant step in protecting farm workers, consumers and bird populations that have been poisoned by the chemical.

A Colorado man earlier this year pleaded guilty to misapplying carbofuran in an incident that killed more than 2,200 birds.

Sold under the brand name Furadan, carbofuran is manufactured by Philadelphia-based chemical maker FMC Corp.