The Pesticide Action Network (Pan) Europe has sounded the alarm about the increase in fruit contamination by the most dangerous category of pesticides. The presence of these harmful substances in food leads to many health risks.
- Pesticides are substances used to control pests.
- In its latest report, the Pesticide Action Network (Pan) Europe indicated that fruit produced and sold in Europe is frequently contaminated with the most dangerous class of pesticides.
The arrival of autumn marks the beginning of the season for chestnuts, grapes, apples, pears, plums, walnuts and even hazelnuts. Although tasty, these food products can be contaminated with pesticides, substances used to control harmful organisms.
Apples, pears: the list of fruits most contaminated by pesticides
In his new reportthe Pesticide Action Network (Pan) Europe revealed that various autumn fruits produced and sold in Europe are frequently contaminated with candidate substitution pesticides (C.à.S), the most dangerous category of pesticides.
According to the document, the contamination of fruits and vegetables by C.à.S pesticides has been on the rise for the past ten years. The non-governmental organization (NGO) notably pointed to the increase in residues of this category of pesticides in apples, pears and plums.
In particular, the PAN revealed the evolution of the contamination rates of several fruits:
- contamination of apples increased from 17 in 2011 to 34% in 2020 (+111%);
- Contamination of pears increased from 26% in 2011 to 49% in 2020 (+107%);
- Plum contamination increased from 21% in 2011 to 26% in 2020 (+81%);
- Contamination of table grapes increased from 31% in 2011 to 46% in 2020 (+33%).
Pesticides: many health hazards
The presence of pesticides in our food is associated with increased risks of cancers, birth defects, heart disease and debilitating health problems. In addition, these toxic substances are also harmful to the environment and biodiversity.
“These upward trends in contamination with the most hazardous pesticides are concerning for several reasons. First, they run counter to expectations citizens who have indicated that reducing the use of pesticides is a priority and that the presence of these toxic residues in their food worries them. Second, these results contradict the political commitment made in 2020 to end the use of these most toxic pesticides in the European Union by 2030, and official statements that this is the path taken since 2019″can we read in the document of Pan.
