It's cherry season again and the scarlet fruit has been back on the shelves for a few days. As appetizing as they may be, their deep red color can hide toxic products. One out of every two cherries is contaminated with pesticide residues classified among the most dangerous to health, according to a groundbreaking study published on Tuesday, May 24, by the NGO Pesticide Action Network Europe (PAN EU). The cherry is not the only fruit concerned; this is also the case for nearly half of peaches and pears and for a third of apples. In total, almost a third (29%) of the fruit produced in Europe is contaminated. These numbers have exploded over the past decade: +53% on average between 2011 and 2019, up to +152% for cherries and even +397% for kiwis, the largest increase. These results contradict official statements from the European Commission and EU member nations, which claim that the use of pesticides − in particular the most toxic ones − is declining.
PAN Europe's report is based on the analysis of data from the EU program monitoring pesticide residues in food. Thousands of samples, taken in each member state by their state consumer watchdog agencies (in France, it's the DGCCRF), are used as a basis for the European Food Safety Authority's (EFSA) reports. For EFSA, the data are "statistically sufficiently representative to estimate the exposure of European consumers to these residues." The study focuses on the pesticides considered by the Authority as "the most dangerous". These are substances suspected of being either carcinogenic to humans, toxic to reproduction, endocrine disruptors, or meeting two of the three criteria of persistent, bioaccumulative and toxic substances.
Noticeable effects, even in small doses
The 2009 directive (under revision) on the use of pesticides places these most dangerous substances in the category of "candidates for substitution". Since 2011, EU countries have been expected to substitute them with alternative products that are less harmful to health and the environment. PAN Europe's analysis spans from 2011 to 2019, the last year for which data are available. It includes nearly 100,000 samples (97,170 taken from the flesh) of fresh fruit grown in Europe and excludes imported products. In total, 28 of the 55 most hazardous pesticides were detected.
The study does not specify whether and to what proportion the concentrations of pesticides found exceed the maximum residue limits set by the health authorities. This is a deliberate choice by PAN Europe, especially because some substances, suspected of being carcinogenic or endocrine disruptors, have no effect thresholds, meaning they can be harmful even in very low doses.
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