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Public says no to pesticides
19 June 2000
More than four fifths of the public want pesticides banned from supermarket food, Friends of the Earth reveal today.
A major NOP opinion poll, conducted between 1st and 6th June, asked a weighted sample of 2,162 adults: “Do you think that the supermarket that you or the main shopper in your household normally shop at should ensure that all their food products are free of pesticide residues, or not?”.
Results were:
|
| Men | Women | TOTAL |
| Yes | 82% | 87% | 85% |
| No | 10% | 7% | 8% |
| Don't Know | 7% | 6% | 7% |
(Full poll details available from FOE Press Office)
Friends of the Earth has surveyed all Britain's leading supermarkets on their policy on the“filthy four” pesticides (lindane, carbendazim, vinclozalin and aldicarb). None of the supermarkets yet plan to phase out all four of the pesticides, but Waitrose, Asda, Iceland and the Co-op are all taking action.
However, Tesco's - the preferred supermarket of one third of the NOP sample - is taking no action at all. Neither are Sainsbury's (preferred by 19% of the sample), Asda (19%) or Safeway (11%). (Full survey results here)
Commenting, FOE Real Food Campaigner Sandra Bell said:
“The public is choosing Real Food. Stores like Iceland and Waitrose, that listen to consumers, will do well. Stores that don't will lose trade and money. It's time for every supermarket to meet public expectations, and phase out all pesticide residues from their food.”
|
| Pesticides |
| Waitrose | 3 |
| Asda | 2 |
| Iceland | 2 |
| Co-op | 2 |
| Marks & Spencer | 0 |
| Sainsbury's | 0 |
| Safeway | 0 |
| Morrisons | 0 |
| Somerfield | 0 |
| Tesco | 0 |
| Aldi | 0 |
| Netto | 0 |
Pesticides: Points are awarded for having policies to remove four particularly dangerous pesticides(lindane, carbendazim, vinclozalin and aldicarb) - one for each pesticide.
If you're a journalist looking for press information please contact the Friends of the Earth media team on 020 7566 1649.
Published by Friends of the Earth Trust
Last modified: Jul 2008
