An analysis by the NGO Générations futures reveals that a majority of non-organic fruits sold in France in 2022 contained at least one detected pesticide residue associated with a danger to human health.
A majority of non-organic fruits sold in France contained at least one detected pesticide residue in 2022 associated with a danger to human health (carcinogen, endocrine disruptor, etc.), according to an analysis by the NGO Générations futures published Tuesday on the basis official data. In total, 62% of non-organic fruits and vegetables analyzed contained at least one pesticide residue (80% of fruits, 48% of vegetables), according to 1996 samples of 35 foods from the latest data from the food surveillance plan (general management of Competition DGCCRF and customs department DGCCI). 137 different active substances were found.
In particular, 56% of 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) purports to assess the risk posed by these residues”which would require knowing the volumes and degree of exposure, underlines the NGO. However he “clearly shows the very frequent presence of pesticide residues with worrying dangerous properties in numerous samples”underlines the organization. And “we think it is wise to try to reduce the presence of it in our diet”she summarizes. In particular, 90% of the cherries analyzed contained at least one CMR pesticide residue, 88% of limes, 84% of clementines, 74% of strawberries, 79% of grapes, 46% of fennels, 43% of salads, 38% of zucchini. …
Organic support measures called for
The analysis takes into account CMR substances known, suspected or suspected by the European Classifications of Chemical Substances (CLP), the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) and the WHO International Agency for Research on Cancer. Furthermore, 67% of fruits contained at least one residue of endocrine disrupting pesticide (EP), and 32% of vegetables: 92% of clementines, 88% of grapes and plums, 62% of cucumbers… The report considers them as EP. 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. The analysis focuses on the residues “detected” and not only those who may have been “quantified”some of which may present deleterious effects without a threshold (endocrine disruptors in particular), explains Générations futures. The NGO refers to the recommendations of the High Council of Public Health, which in 2017 suggested “favor fruits and vegetables grown using production methods that reduce exposure to pesticides (according to a precautionary principle)”.
“The government must put in place strong support measures for organic food and encourage organic agriculture, which is in difficulty” in recent years against a backdrop of inflation, demanded François Veillerette, spokesperson for Générations futures, during a press briefing. Since 2022, there have been bans in the EU (such as that of phosmet, used for cherries), notes the NGO. But “still too many dangerous pesticides are used”. Against a backdrop of agricultural demonstrations, Gabriel Attal’s government suspended the Ecophyto plan for reducing pesticides at the beginning of 2024 then changed the indicator for measuring their use, to the great dismay of environmental defenders, who announced an appeal to the Council of State.
