Is it safe to eat the fruits and vegetables grown in a garden within the City?

In general, the uptake of metals by plants is not expected to pose a health risk hazard to consumers. However, the accumulation of metals on the outside of garden foods is more difficult to predict. The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health recommends washing of all foods, as well as hand-washing, to remove any residual soil. For more information, please refer to “Soil and Water Testing Guidelines for Home and Community Gardens.”