Home > Press releases > 2000
19 Jun 2000
Photocall: Monday 11.30am Whitehall (Downing St) SW1
To
welcome the arrival of baby Blair and to mark the launch of Friends of the Earth's
Real Food Week, a group of parents and babies, led by the Marchioness of Worcester,
will today meet outside Downing Street to present a hamper of pesticide-free fruit
and BabyOrganix products to No 10.
A delegation of toddlers will hand
in a giant-apple-shaped card and balloons for Leo. Their parents will deliver
a letter highlighting concerns about the potential health risk of pesticide residues
on babies and young children and asking Mr Blair, as a new parent, to support
the
Real Food Campaign.
Background Information
Toxic
chemicals in pesticides are absorbed into fruits, vegetables and grains and can
build up in the human body. Pesticide residues are potentially harmful and children
are particularly vulnerable,as the risk is multiplied by their smaller size and
immature body systems. The Government advises consumers to peel all fresh fruit
and vegetables to reduce the risk, but peeling and washing won't eliminate the
pesticide residues as they are absorbed into the whole fruit.
A new
EU limit for pesticide levels in baby food - close to zero - is about to be brought
into force in the UK. FOE wants the EU limit to apply to all food not just baby
food.
FOE wants to get toxic residues out of our food once and for all.
We want to Government to ban the 'filthy four '- the four most dangerous chemicals
- aldicarb, carbendazim, lindane and vinclozolin and strive for an overall reduction
in pesticide use, with more support for organics at a price everyone can afford.
Real Food is:
Contact details:
Friends of the Earth
26-28 Underwood St.
LONDON
N1 7JQ
Tel: 020 7490 1555
Fax: 020 7490 0881
Web: www.foe.co.uk/feedback.html
Media team
