Asda spinach over pesticide levels

26 February 2003

The Government's latest pesticide results reveal that pesticide levels in Spanish spinach bought at Asda exceeded the safety level for toddlers. Levels of pesticides in spinach bought in Waitrose and Safeway stores also exceeded legal limits, but not safety limits, the data shows. Most dried fruit, almost half of the bread tested and a quarter of chips from fish and chip shops also contained pesticide residues. Six samples of infant food contained residues at levels that would now be illegal, since the introduction of strict limits on processed infant foods.

The Pesticide Residue Committee (PRC) concluded that levels of the pesticide methomyl found in Asda spinach meant that the "safety margins would be significantly eroded". Levels were 150 per cent of the safety level for adults and 240 per cent of the safety level for toddlers. The PRC said that it was possible that "symptoms such as increased salivation, an upset stomach or a mild headache could occur, but these effects would be expected to be short-lived (lasting not longer than six hours)". Methomyl is a carbamate pesticide that affects the nervous system. It is also suspected of interfering with the hormone system. Friends of the Earth today warned that this is a highly risky substance that should not be in our food. Another carbamate - aldicarb - was found in chips from two fish and chip shops, in Telford and Carlisle.

The results did show that milk and blackcurrant juice were completely free of residues. UK carrots were clear of organophosphate residues, which have been a major problem in the past, but do contain other pesticides of concern. But Friends of the Earth warned that the overall picture shows we are still exposed to a cocktail of pesticides in our diets, which may pose a risk to human health. For example Iprodione, a suspected hormone disrupter and carcinogen was found in carrots, cucumber, dried fruits, herbs and melon. Yet the Government still looks at safety levels in terms of individual pesticides in individual produce.

Friends of the Earth is calling for all retailers to commit to phasing out the use of the most risky pesticides by their suppliers in the UK and overseas, and to aim for residue free food. Friends of the Earth is calling on the Government to apply the same safety standards to fresh food as it does to processed infant food and to be more proactive about helping farmers find alternatives to pesticides, by putting resources into the development of alternatives, and by providing a free advisory service to help them reduce their dependence on chemicals.

"Although there is some good news in the latest pesticide results, we must remain very concerned that supposedly-healthy food contains pesticides which exceed the safety levels for toddlers. Asda should wake up to the fact that consumers care about safety as well as price and make sure the food they sell is safe for toddlers. Strict new laws for processed infant food should ensure that in future these are clear of residues. But parents should also be able to trust fresh food, especially as fresh fruit and vegetables are so important for a healthy diet," said Real Food Campaigner Sandra Bell.

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