Archived press release

Two thirds of grapes contain pesticide residues

28 February 2001

Samples of grapes above EC-recommended levels have been discovered in grape samples by Government inspectors. And two thirds of all grape samples were found to contain pesticide residues.The results were published today the Report of the Pesticide Residue Committee [PRC].

Two thirds (67%) of all grapes tested last summer contained pesticide residues. The Government has admitted that some residues were high enough to give a toddler a stomach upset. But even more alarming is that chlorpyrifos, an organophosphate pesticide, was among the residues found. Its use on grapes was severely restricted in the US last year to protect the health of young children. One sample of white seedless grapes from Israel, which was sold in Somerfield, contained chlorpyrifos at illegal levels. A total of 28 different pesticides were found in grapes, with almost a third (29%)containing multiple residues. Some individual samples had 5 different pesticides in them.

The results also revealed that over a quarter (27%) of apple juice samples contained the fungicide carbendazim. This pesticide has been found to effect the production of sperm and damage testicular development, as well as cause birth defects in rats. Carbendazim now appears on a European Commission list of substances which are suspected of being hormone distupters. Although this pesticide was only found in low levels in all the samples, hormone disupters can effect the body at low levels so this is no guarantee of safety. Apple juice brands which contained carbendazim include Copella, and supermarkets own brands from Safeway, Sainsbury's and Tesco. The PRC tested one organic apple juice, from, Tesco and this was free of any residues.

The PRC also tested peas, rice and burgers. Peas and burgers were free of residues, welcome news as these are commonly eaten by children. Rice samples were found to have residues of methyl bromide due to fumigation for storage and transport. However, the three organic samples were residue-free.

Sandra Bell, Real Food Campaigner at Friends of the Earth said:
“Once again dangerous pesticides have been found in foods which should be a safe and healthy part of our diets. No-one knows what long-term health effect these chemicals may have, particularly on children. Supermarkets should draw up a hit list of the most risky pesticides and make sure that their suppliers, both here and abroad, don't use them. And the Government must take urgent action to reduce the amount of pesticides used on our food. The forthcoming budget should tax pesticides and use the money to reward farmers who want to grow food people want - without toxic chemicals.”

FOE has written to major supermarkets this week urging them to ban hormone disrupting pesticides. FOE is also calling on the Government to ban these substances and introduce a pesticide tax in the budget which could raise money to help farmers to convert to less-intensive and greener farming methods. FOE is backing the Organic Food and Farming Targets Bill which aims for a significant increase in organic farmland in the UK and increased access to organic food for all.

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Published by Friends of the Earth Trust