Who must be immediately notified by the Director of DPR upon finding a lot of produce in violation of permissible tolerances?

The correct answer is that the Director of the Department of Pesticide Regulation (DPR) must immediately notify the County Agricultural Commissioner (CAC) upon finding a lot of produce in violation of permissible tolerances. This is important because the CAC is responsible for enforcing state agricultural laws and regulations, which include oversight of pesticide use and produce safety standards within their jurisdiction. Their role is critical in investigating violations and implementing necessary actions to protect public health and ensure compliance with agricultural standards.

The need for immediate notification to the CAC is rooted in their capacity to take appropriate measures and enforce corrective actions if necessary. This can include conducting further inspections, determining the scope of the violation, and taking actions to prevent any potential health risks associated with the contaminated produce.

In contrast, while notifying other entities such as the County Board of Supervisors, the Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment, or the Produce Testing Program at the US FDA may be relevant in broader contexts, they do not have the same direct enforcement role as the CAC. Their functions are typically more focused on public health assessment or oversight at the federal level, rather than the immediate enforcement actions required in the case of pesticide violations at the local level.