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19 Sep 2000
There has been a significant increase in the quantity of fresh fruit
and veg containing pesticide residues a Government report revealed today.
Forty three per cent of fresh fruit and veg samples were found to contain
traces of pesticides. Last year's figure was 33 per cent. The results
are contained in the 1999 report from the Working Party on Pesticide Residues.
Sandra Bell, Real Food Campaigner at Friends of the Earth, said:
“The public will be dismayed to learn that almost half the fresh
fruit and veg they are eating contains pesticides. The Government encourages
people -- including pregnant women and babies - to eat more fresh fruit
and veg, so they should be doing more to ensure that they are pesticide-free.
“It's also unacceptable for Government advisors to say that
pesticide residue levels are safe when no-one knows what long-term effect
pesticides may have on our health”
Earlier this month Friends of the Earth issued a report highlighting
a number of flaws in the pesticide regulations , casting doubts over Government
assertions that pesticides residues in our food are safe. For example
no consideration is given to cocktails of pesticides possibly interacting
to produce unforeseen effects. In addition there's no testing for hormone
disrupters.
Earlier this year the Government announced new regulations limiting residues
in baby food to 0.01mk/kg in recognition that babies are more vulnerable
to exposure to low levels of toxic chemicals. However, food companies
don't need to comply until 2002 . FOE wants all food for babies to be
free of pesticide residues - including fresh fruit and veg.
Also this year, the Royal Society published a report on hormone disrupting
chemicals and recommended a precautionary approach. In particular they
said that measures should be taken to ensure pregnant women's exposure
to these chemicals is reduced.
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
