Issues

ENVIRONMENT Climate Change Energy Efficiency Organic Produce Pesticide Use Fish Water

SOCIAL Fair Trade Social Audit Local Sourcing

ECONOMIC BSE Lessons Hormones Antibiotics Additives Internal Operations

ALL Hygiene Health & Nutrition Animal Welfare GM Debate

Pesticides residues are found in samples collected by the Pesticide Residues Committee. Reports are available on the web sampled commodities. The table below is based on 2002 results. In 1999, residues were found in 29% of all samples, 1.5% exceeding legal limits called Maximum Residue Levels (MRLs). Grapes were tested in 2005 and one quarter found to have residues, although none exceeded the MRL.

FOOD	Number of pesticides used	% of samples with residues	Particular pesticide issue
Apple	36 chemical during 16 sprayings	In 2002: 37% have residues 15% multiple residues	The image of 'good food' - the apple, is now contaminated.
Strawberry	12 pesticides, including 6 fungicides & 3 herbicides	80% in '99, 64% in '01
Lettuce	12 pesticides used a dozen or so sprayings	50% in '02 36% multiple 3% exceed limits 3% illegal. This is the same as '99 results	5 growers have been successfully prosecuted for non-approved pesticides on lettuces.
Chocolate		10% of imported white chocolate contains Lindane.	Lindane is banned in EU, partly because of hormone disruption.
Milk/Yogurt		In '02 Residue free
Beer	Barley will have 6-7 pesticides sprayed on about 7 occasions. Hops double that.	Residues were found in over 30% of UK produced beers in '02	Watch out for Chlomequat.
Lamb		In '02, 43% samples contained residues of DDT	DDT has been banned for 20 years. It is 'persistent' - but nobody thought this long.

back