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State health officials have warned Californian residents about the potential health hazards of eating edible cacti. According to the officials, the cactus products were sprayed with a dangerous pesticide in Mexico before being imported into the U.S. The California Department of Public Health is in the process of removing all of the products, often called cactus pads or "nopales," from the public stands. However, some of the toxic cacti pads have already been purchased and could pose a serious health problem when ingested.

The health officials reported that the cactus pads were sold in bulk at three locations in Los Angeles and the San Francisco Bay Area at the start of this month. The products were sprayed with Monocrotophos, which is a pesticide that is illegal in the U.S. After the department of health tested some of the imported cacti, they found up to 5.8 parts per million of the pesticide, which was was banned in 1989 after evidence revealed that the pesticide could be highly toxic. The pesticide is also banned in Australia, Cambodia, China, the European Union, Indonesia, Laos, Philippines, Sri Lanka, Thailand and Vietnam.

The cacti pads, which are a traditional Mexican vegetable dish, are often eaten boiled and peeled, or pickled. Officials stated that even though some of the toxins might be stripped off of the cactus pads if they are washed or boiled, people should not risk eating them. So far, there have been no reported cases of illness from the cacti.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) are currently working with California health officials to identify the Mexico growers and the U.S. importers of this product.