Pesticide residues ‘slightly higher than normal’ in food

MORE than one-third of routine food tests contained traces of pesticides, the latest quarterly report from the Pesticide Residues Committee (PRC) has revealed.

However, there were no pesticide residues detected in milk, bacon, cheese or cauliflower samples.

The study, which forms part of an ongoing surveillance of food and drink, looked at 1,313 samples from 24 different food types taken over the final three months of 2006.

It found that 477 of the samples contained some residue of pesticides and that 30 of these were above the legally permitted levels.

Yams accounted for 23 of the cases that exceeded the maximum residue limit (MRL). Samples of apples, aubergines, flour and grapes also exceeded the limit.

High levels of chlorpropham detected in one consignment of potatoes triggered the intervention of the Pesticide Safety Directorate (PSD) enforcement arm that investigated the suppliers and stopped the potatoes from entering the food chain.

The chairman of the PRC, Dr Ian Brown, said the overall figures were positive.

“The results should reassure consumers that the food they eat continues to be safe,” he said. However, the findings were ‘slightly more than what we usually find’.

The report’s findings were attacked by Soil Association policy officer Michael Green, who said: “Year on year the Government’s pesticides survey finds pesticides in our food, and with depressing monotony we are told this is nothing to worry about.”

Mr Green added the vast majority of the public did not want any pesticide residue in their food, while a Friends of the Earth poll found that 86 per cent of the population were against any contamination of their food.