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08 Oct 2000
In September, the Ministry of Agriculture (MAFF) published its annual report on pesticide residues. MAFF claimed the report showed there was no real problem with pesticide residues. But analysis by FOE of the MAFF results has found that between a half and three fifths of fruit and veg samples from leading supermarkets contained residues [1].
British supermarkets have told FOE and concerned members of the public that they are taking action to reduce pesticide use by their suppliers. But the number of positive results revealed in this year's report shows they are not doing enough. Last week the Chairman of the Working Party on Pesticide Residues, Professor Sir Ian Shaw, said not enough is known about the possible toxic effects of “pesticide cocktails” (residues of more than one pesticide accumulating or acting together in the human body).
FOE's detailed analysis of the MAFF results shows that:
* 1 lettuce sample from Tesco contained 5 different pesticides, including 3 at levels over the legal limit.
* All of the celery from Somerfield contained residues, including the pesticides carbendazim and vinclozolin which are both suspected of being hormone disrupters
* 3 samples of apples from Asda contained residues of chlorpyrifos - an organophosphate pesticide now severely restricted in the US because of possible effects on child health
* All of the potatoes sampled from M&S contained pesticide residues
* 1 sample of apples from Safeway contained a mixture of 3 different pesticides which are all under review in the UK due to concerns about their safety.
* Three quarters of strawberries from Sainsburys contained residues
* 77% of celery samples from Tesco and 80% from Asda contained pesticide residues.
| % of samples with residues (total number of samples) | |
| Average (including individual retailers/markets) | 54% (626) |
| Asda | 48% (61) |
| Marks & Spencer | 68% (25) |
| Morrisons | 61% (23) |
| Safeway | 53% (78) |
| Sainsbury | 54% (113) |
| Somerfield | 70% (30) |
| Tesco | 54% (151) |
Sandra Bell, Real Food campaigner for Friends of the Earth, said:
“Fresh fruit and vegetables are a key part of a healthy diet ,especially for children. Parents buying fruit and veg at supermarkets shouldn't have to worry about their fresh produce being laced with toxic residues. We don't know enough about the health effects of the pesticide cocktails found in our food - but we already know enough to be worried. Supermarkets should act to protect their customers at once.”
NOTES TO EDITORS:
[1] All data is from the annual report of the Working Party on Pesticide Residues, MAFF, September 2000.FOE looked at the data for potatoes, apples, currants, blackberries, carrots, swedes, turnips, kohlrabi, salsify,passion fruit, strawberries, oranges, celery and lettuce which are all part of the Government's regular monitoring programme. FOE did not include vegetables and fruit which were monitored as a special survey e.g. pears and sweet peppers, as these were looking for specific pesticides only.
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
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