Archived press release

Latest results reveal a cocktail of pesticide exposure

3 March 2004

New figures, released by the Pesticide Safety Directorate today [1], reveal consumers are still exposed to a cocktail of pesticide residues in the food they eat. Friends of the Earth warned that the figures showed that consumers could still be exposed to health effects from pesticides in food, even though no individual sample exceeded residue levels considered by the Pesticide Safety Directorate to cause "concern for consumer health". Safety levels currently take no account of the impact of the `cocktail effect' of multiple residues in particular foods, or in our overall diet.

Samples of fruit breads (eg malt loaf, plum bread, banana bread etc) were found to contain residues from up to six different pesticides, but no risk assessment of their combined affects has been carried out. Multiple residues were also found in cherries, sweet peppers, bread and tinned mandarins. And white wine was found to contain two residues which have been linked to effects on our hormone systems.

Little research has been conducted into the safety of pesticide mixtures, but some studies have highlighted potential risks to the immune system or behavioural changes [2]. The Food Standards Agency has admitted there is a lack of evidence in this area and recommends risk assessments of exposure to more than one pesticide should be established [3]. Friends of the Earth is urging the Government to act now to reduce overall exposure to residues and not wait until more research has been carried out.

The results reveal suspected `gender-bending' pesticides in a range of foods. Apple juice and fruit bread were found to contain carbendazim, a fungicide already restricted by the Co-op and Waitrose due to health concerns. Carbendazim has been found to effect sperm production in rats [4]. Fruit breads were also found to contain chlorpyrifos, cypermethrin, iprodione and procymidone - all suspected of disrupting the human hormone system. Similar chemicals appeared in plain bread and pasta. There is growing concern about the presence of these substances in food as it is thought they can cause problems at very low doses [5].

The results show that the Government, which is due to release its pesticide strategy this month, has so far failed to conclusively tackle the issue of pesticides in UK-grown food. Friends of the Earth is calling on the Government to do more to support UK farmers and growers in finding alternatives to risky chemical pesticides.

Friends of the Earth Pesticides Campaigner Liz Wright said:

"These results show consumers are still being exposed to a range of pesticide residues in their food. We do not know whether they are safe or not. The presence of hormone disrupting pesticides in fruit juice, wine, bread and pasta is particularly alarming. If the Government is serious about reducing risky pesticide residues in food, it must take action. Retailers can also play their part in making sure the food they sell is safe by helping suppliers reduce pesticide use and find alternatives."

Notes

[1] See www.pesticides.gov.uk

[2] The pesticides in our food - Friends of the Earth briefing available at www.foe.co.uk/resource/briefings/pesticides_our_food.pdf (PDF format)

Also: Porter WP, Jaeger JW & Carlson IH (1999) Endocrine, immune and behavioural effects of aldicarb (carbamate), atrazine (triazine and nitrate) fertiliser mixtures at groundwater concentration. Toxicology and Industrial Health 15:133-50

Axelard JC, Howard CV, McLean WG (2002) Interactions between pesticides and components of pesticide formulations in an in vitro neurotoxicity test. Toxicology 173:259-68

[3] FSA press release 25^th March 2003: Mixtures: Toxicology and Exposure Research Programme (T10)

[4] Mantovani A, Maranghi F, Ricciardi C, Macr C, Stazi AV, Attias L and Zapponi GA (1998) Developmental toxicity of carbendazim: Comparison of no-observed-adverse-effect level and benchmark dose approach. Food and Chemical Toxicology 36: 37-45

[5] The pesticides in our food - Friends of the Earth briefing available at www.foe.co.uk/resource/briefings/pesticides_our_food.pdf (PDF format)

More information on the possible health effects linked to specific pesticides from www.pan-uk.org/briefing/ListofL.pdf (PDF format)

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Published by Friends of the Earth Trust