Nearly half the fruit and veg sold in Scottish supermarkets is still contaminated with chemicals

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Store giants fail to cut pesticides in our food

Nearly half the fruit and veg sold in Scottish supermarkets is still

contaminated with chemicals

By Rob Edwards, Environment Editor

 

 

 

 

 

Toxic pesticides still contaminate more than 40% of the fresh fruit and

vegetables sold by supermarkets, despite the promises the stores have made to

clean up their food.

A new analysis of over 4000 samples taken by government inspectors over the last

five years reveals that major supermarket chains have failed to cut back on

pesticide contamination.

About 300 different chemicals are used by farmers worldwide to kill insects,

control weeds and improve the appearance of their crops. But traces stick to the

food that finds its way onto supermarket shelves.

As a result, pesticides can be detected in many common fruit and vegetables,

such as apples, oranges, lettuce and peppers. Although the contamination is

mostly within legal limits, some scientists say it could endanger health,

particularly that of children.

Because of public concerns about safety, supermarkets have been trying to reduce

the amount of pesticides in their food. They promised to do so when the Sunday

Herald highlighted the problem during the launch of our Safe Food campaign in

February last year.

But now an analysis of official figures by campaign group Friends of the Earth

shows little has actually changed. In 2002, 43% of the samples tested by the

government’s Pesticides Safety Directorate contained pesticides, compared with

39% in 2001, 52% in 2000, 54% in 1999 and 38% in 1998.

None of the main super market chains in Scotland has succeeded in making any

appreciable overall reduction in the last five years. The average proportions of

contaminated fruit and vegetables sold by Marks & Spencer, Sainsbury’s, Safeway,

Tesco, the Co-op and Asda varied from 49% to 43%.

“Most supermarkets are failing to take action to protect the health of consumers

and the environment,” alleged Duncan McLaren, chief executive of Friends of the

Earth Scotland.

“The continuing high levels of pesticides in our food is of major concern.

Despite the best efforts of some retailers, little progress appears to have been

made in reducing the incidence of pesticides in the past five years.”

Friends of the Earth said two supermarkets, the Co-op and Marks & Spencer, had

been successful in banning specific pesticides. M & S, for example, had stopped

its suppliers from using two chemicals which are not approved for use in the UK

– methamidophos and quintozene. But these chemicals were still turning up in

produce from other supermarkets. And another chemical, carbendazim, which Asda

said three years ago its suppliers did not use, has since been detected in

apples, cucumbers, grapes and peaches sold in its stores.

McLaren urged supermarkets to do more to tackle the problem. “It is now time for

all retailers to begin putting some of their massive profits back into helping

farmers find safer alternatives to toxic pesticides.”

David Croft, the technical head of the Co-operative Group, said it was

“disappointing” that the pesticide residue figures showed no downward trend.

However, more recent testing by the Co-op suggested its contamination levels may

be down to 30% in June-August this year.

He agreed that retailers had to help farmers find alternatives to pesticides,

and said they should all work together to solve problems with particular

suppliers abroad. “Our overall objective is zero residues and that’s what we’re

progressing towards,” he said.

M & S said that, in the latest samples taken from its shops in 2003, no residues

had been found. The firm had agreed with its suppliers to cease using 60

pesticides worldwide.

“Marks & Spencer is com mitted to reducing the use of pesticides in the food it

sells,” added a spokeswoman. “However, we recognise the need for further action

to achieve our long-term aspiration to sell residue-free foods.”

Asda pointed out that its suppliers had to follow codes of practice designed to

control pesticide use, and their performance was independently audited. “We take

pesticide control extremely seriously and have rigorous controls in place,” an

Asda spokeswoman said.

Sainsbury’s said its suppliers and farmers were reducing pesticides by using

disease-resistant varieties and natural controls like ladybirds and other bugs

wherever possible. “All of our UK fresh fruit and vegetables, as well as all

frozen produce, are grown using this technique,” stated a spokes woman for the

chain.

Tesco stressed it had been the first to restrict the use of pesticides with its

“Nature’s Choice” scheme.

“Over the last 10 years we have worked hard to reduce pesticide levels in our

crops,” said a company spokesman.

The attitude of the supermarkets was criticised, however, by Mark Ruskell MSP,

the Scottish Green Party’s environment spokesman. He said: “They seem resigned

to the fact that multiple residues are in their produce and appear more

concerned with wholesome marketing images than with the integrity and safety of

the produce.

“Very little scientific work has ever been done on the effect of multiple

pesticide dosages on human health over long periods of time, so we have no idea

what problems are being stored up. We need to start phasing out last century’s

unnecessary, chemical-based approach to food production and replace it with

modern, organic farming systems that can meet society’s needs for healthy food

and a healthy environment.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

2003 smg sunday newspapers ltd. no.176088

 

 

 

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