Archived press release

Supermarkets five year failure to cut pesticides in fruit and veg

17 September 2003

Supermarkets have failed to achieve any overall reduction in pesticide residues over the last five years, Friends of the Earth analysis of Government Pesticide Safety Directorate (PSD) data reveals today. The findings coincide with the PSD annual report on pesticides residues [1] released this afternoon.

Despite supermarket claims to be cutting pesticide use, nearly half of fresh produce still contains residues. Friends of the Earth's analysis of PSD data shows that last year 43% of fresh produce on supermarket shelves contained residues [see table below], a similar quantity were discovered with residues five years ago. Furthermore, there is little difference between supermarkets. Figures range from 41 per cent (Morrisons) to 50% Somerfield [3]. However, residues for particular crops do vary. In 2002 residues were found in 36% of apples, 80% of oranges, and 69% of nectarines.

Friends of the Earth did find that the Co-op and M&S appear to have been successful in banning specific pesticides [4]. PSD results did not show any examples of prohibited pesticides turning up in these supermarkets produce in recent years [5]. For example M&S has stopped suppliers worldwide using methamidophos and quintozene (neither is approved in the UK), and these pesticides have not been found in M&S produce since, though both have been found in produce from other major supermarkets.

Asda has not faired so well. Three years ago it told Friends of the Earth that its suppliers do not use carbendazim on any crops [6], but this particular pesticide has since been discovered in Asda food including apples, cucumbers, grapes and peaches. These pesticides are all of particular concern because of their possible effects on human health [7].

However, despite making progress with banning particular pesticides, the Co-op and M&S have not managed to reduce overall residue levels. M&S, which sets targets for residue reduction in fruit and veg, looks set to fail to meet them. M&S's target for 2003 is for 60% of its fruit to be residue-free [8], but 2002 results show that only 38% of M&S fruit was free from pesticides.

Sandra Bell, Pesticides Campaigner for Friends of the Earth said:

"Supermarkets claim to be reducing pesticides in our food, but little progress has been made in the past five years. Nearly half of their fresh fruit and veg still contain residue traces. Retailers must put some of their huge profits back into helping farmers find safer alternatives to toxic pesticides. Supermarkets should also make it easier for farmers to get off the chemical treadmill by putting the safety of food ahead of cosmetic perfection."

Friends of the Earth is calling on all retailers to phase out the most risky pesticides; to help farmers find alternatives to toxic chemicals; and to reduce farmers need to spray by not demanding cosmetic perfection. Growers have told Friends of the Earth that they use extra sprays to meet the supermarket's specifications [9].

The Government also has a key role to play in ensuring that safer alternatives are available, something that it has so far failed to do. More funding is needed to research new approaches to crop protection, minimising the need for chemical pesticides. Supermarkets should also contribute funding to research projects but their track record on this so far has been poor.

Pesticide residues in supermarket fruit & veg 1998-2002

Notes

[1] the PSD report released today [www.pesticides.gov.uk] gives the results for pesticides found in food from a range of retail outlets in 2002.

[2] Friends of the Earth has looked at data over the last five years (1998-2002), relating to produce from the major supermarkets only. This covers the period since the policy of naming supermarkets began in 1998.

[3] based on five year data, figures from other individual retailers available from Friends of the Earth

[4] Both Co-op and M&S announced new policies prohibiting particular pesticides in 2001.

[5] Friends of the Earth used PSD data to look for specific pesticides in fruit and veg from individual supermarkets over the last five years. Less data is available for smaller supermarkets such as Co-op and M&S because in the PSD testing programme sample size for each retailer reflects market share.

[6] letter from Asda to Friends of the Earth, 2000

[7] Methamidophos is an organophosphate pesticide which is classified as being `highly hazardous' by the World Health Organization, quintozene is a possible carcinogen, and carbendazim is a suspected hormone disrupter

[8] M&S press release 14/09/01

[9] Friends of the Earth `Supermarkets and Great British Fruit' October 2002,

www.foe.co.uk/resource/briefings/supermarket_british_fruit.pdf (PDF format)

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Published by Friends of the Earth Trust