137 active substances (carcinogen, endocrine disruptor, eternal pollutant) have been found in a large majority of non-organic fruits and vegetables. 56% of non-organic fruits and 23% of non-organic vegetables presented at least one pesticide residue classified as carcinogenic or mutagenic or reprotoxic.
A majority of non-organic fruits sold in France contained at least one detected pesticide residue in 2022 associated with a class of danger for human health (carcinogenic, endocrine disruptor, etc.), according to an analysis by the NGO Générations futures published Tuesday on the official database.
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In total, 62% of non-organic fruits and vegetables analyzed contained at least one pesticide residue detected (80% of fruits, 48% of vegetables), according to 1,996 samples of 35 foods from the latest data from the national food surveillance plan ( General Directorate of Competition DGCCRF and General Directorate of Customs DGCCI). Some 137 different active substances were found.
90% of the cherries analyzed contained at least one CMR pesticide residue
In particular, 56% of non-organic fruits and 23% of non-organic vegetables presented at least one pesticide residue classified as carcinogenic or mutagenic or reprotoxic (CMR), according to this report. “In no case (the report) claims to assess the risk posed by these residues”, which would require knowing the degree of exposure, the volumes etc., underlines the NGO.
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However, it “clearly shows the very frequent presence of pesticide residues with worrying dangerous properties in numerous samples”, underlines the NGO. And “we think it is wise to try to reduce its presence in our food,” summarizes the organization. Notably, 90% of the cherries analyzed contained at least one CMR pesticide residue, 88% of limes, 84% of clementines/mandarins, 74% of strawberries, 79% of grapes.
The analysis takes into account proven, presumed or suspected CMR substances by the European Classifications of Chemical Substances (CLP), the classifications of the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) and the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC). ) of the WHO.
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Furthermore, 67% of fruits contained at least one endocrine-disrupting pesticide (EP) residue, and 32% of vegetables. The report considers as ED the substances classified as such by the EFSA, by an impact study carried out in 2016 by the European Commission, to which are added five others singled out by the network of specialized NGOs PAN Europe.
Finally, 34% of the fruits and 21% of the vegetables tested contained at least one PFAS pesticide residue, so-called “eternal” pollutants because they are poorly degradable in the environment.
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The analysis concerns the “detected” residues and not only those which could be “quantified”, because some can present deleterious effects without a threshold (endocrine disruptors in particular), explains Générations futures. The NGO refers to the recommendations issued by the High Council of Public Health, which in a February 2017 opinion suggested “favoring fruits and vegetables grown using production methods that reduce exposure to pesticides (according to a precautionary principle)” .
