A British study found a mixture of pesticides in almost all types of oranges and grapes | Insecticides

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Almost all grapes and oranges contain a “pesticide mixture” according to research that identified the most contaminated fruits and vegetables in our shopping carts.

Every year, the government tests samples from groceries for chemicals to see if traces can be found in British food.

The official numbers, analyzed by the Pesticide Action Network (PAN), found 122 different pesticides in the 12 most contaminated products, which the charity calls the “dirty dozen.” Many of these are dangerous to human health; 61% are classified as highly hazardous pesticides (HHPs), a concept used by the United Nations to identify those substances most harmful to human health or the environment.

The pesticide list includes 47 pesticides with links to cancer, 15 “reproduction or growth toxins” that can have adverse effects on sexual function and fertility, and 17 cholinesterase inhibitors that can impair the respiratory system and cause confusion, headaches and weakness. A quarter of the pesticides found are suspected of causing endocrine disruptions that can interfere with hormone systems, causing a range of health problems including birth defects and developmental disorders.

Each fruit or vegetable on the list contains two or more types of pesticides, some containing up to 25 types. And although individual pesticide levels are within legal limits, activists fear the combination of several chemicals is particularly harmful to people’s health.

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Nick Mull of PAN UK said: “These figures highlight the wide range of chemicals we are exposed to every day through our diets. While safety limits continue to be set for only one pesticide at a time, evidence is mounting that the chemicals can combine to be more toxicity, a phenomenon known as the cocktail effect.”

There are also gaps in the data. This year the government chose to test only three of the 12 fruits and vegetables from a list of the dirty dozen compiled by PAN last year. The pre-packaged strawberries, lemons, and salads, which topped the previous list, were not tested, so there’s no way to know if the amount of pesticides on these products has been reduced.

A PAN spokesperson said there was no real way to avoid ingesting pesticides, other than campaigning in order to reduce their use.

The best way to avoid pesticides is to buy organic produce. Of course, almost no one in the UK can afford or financially access a fully organic diet, which is why we publish The Dirty Dozen – to help consumers prioritize which products to avoid.”

“In terms of washing, some residues on the skin of the product (which are often fungicides used to prevent rotting during storage and transportation) must be removed. However, many modern pesticides are so-called “systemic” which means that they are absorbed into the plant. and distribute them throughout their tissues, right down to any fruits or flowers. As a result, pesticide residues are often contained within the body of the product itself, so washing the surface will not remove it.”

It is also recommended that consumers buy from European Union countries as well as the United Kingdom, as the European Union has the most protected pesticide regime in the world and is likely to ban pesticides due to concerns about the harm it causes. The UK system currently mirrors that of the European Union.

There are also environmental implications: half of the 12 pesticides found are groundwater pollutants, meaning they are still present in water bodies, which could affect aquatic biodiversity or drinking water quality. The list includes the neonicotinoid acetamiprid, which is believed to be less toxic to pollinators than other neonicotinoids, but PAN says it remains a potential health threat to bees.

Mull added: “Consumers assume that their food has undergone rigorous testing and that if an item is available for sale in the UK it must be safe. Unfortunately, this is not necessarily the case. In fact, we have very limited understanding of the long-term effects on human health. The result of consuming small amounts of dozens of different pesticides every day of our lives.”

A spokesperson for the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs said: “All food sold in the UK must comply with strict regulations on pesticide residues to ensure it is safe to eat. It is enforced through a comprehensive residue control program overseen by an independent specialist body and in 2020 was more than 97% of tested samples are compatible.

“However, we continue to encourage a move away from chemical pest control and were recently consulted on a national action plan aimed at reducing the effects of pesticides and increasing the use of safer alternatives.”

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