A recent study by the British government has highlighted the presence of 122 pesticide residues in 12 fruits and vegetables from nearly all over the world and sold on the island, thus fully included in the UK’s “dirty dozen” list. . Every residue found in the fruit or vegetable tested was found to be below the maximum allowable limit, but what activists are concerned about is the “cocktail effect”, that is, the presence of one or more pesticide residues on the single fruit: every fruit and vegetable actually, the product contains. In this list are traces of at least two different types of pesticides, some containing as many as 25 different types. Among the fruits most contaminated with “cocktails” we find grapes and oranges, and then again dried fruits, pears, peas, okra, lettuce, carrots, mangoes. However, the Pesticide Action Network advises British consumers to do so Buy local fruit and vegetables from the European Union, as the European Union has one of the most restrictive regulations in the world on the use of pesticides
From the editorial board
Every year, the UK government takes food samples to look for any traces of chemicals in the food. Official numbers that appeared inultimo . report and analyzed by Pesticide Action Network (frying pan), It showed the presence of 122 different pesticide residues in the 12 most “contaminated” products, which PAN calls the “dirty dozen” (Dirty Dozen) – British arrangement similar, but not equal, to that established by the EWG in the US -. Each fruit or vegetable tested, and therefore on the list, contained between two or more pesticides, with some samples containing as many as 25 different species. Although levels of individual pesticide residues are within legal limits, activists fear it is a combination of multiple chemicals., the so-called “pesticide cocktail”, May be harmful to healthBut in fact, the European Financial Supervisory Authority recently proved that mixtures of different pollutants in the foods we eat do not have any harmful effects on human health (click here to learn more).
The “dirty scores” set by the UK government appear in the first place Orange and grape (Origin varies, so also outside the European Union), which took first place in the ranking of the most polluted fruit. However, in the list there are ten other references that present effects of two or more pesticides (also in this case from around the world): Dried fruit, herbs, pears, peas, beans and okra (or okra fruit)Lettuce, beans (dried), carrots, mango.
“These numbers highlight a wide range of chemicals that we are exposed to on a daily basis through our diets – pointing to Nick Mall By PAN UK – . While Continuing to set safety limits for only one pesticide at a time, There is growing evidence that chemicals can combine to be more toxic, a phenomenon known as the cocktail effect.”
However, the “Dirty Dozens” is not an exhaustive and objective list of fruits and vegetables that have more traces of pesticides: In fact, this year the government chose to test only three out of 12 fruits and vegetables from a list of the dirty dozen compiled by PAN last year. The packaged strawberries, lemons, and salads, which were at the top of the previous list, weren’t tested this time around, so there’s no way to tell if the amount of pesticides on these products has gone down. Added to this is the fact that out of 2,460 samples of 33 food products examined, 58.46% of them did not contain traces of pesticides.
“Washing vegetables or fruits, or remove the peel, It does not guarantee complete removal of pesticide residues. In fact– Lets PAN a Watchman -, Some pesticidesThese pesticides are called “systemic”, that is, they are absorbed inside the plant and distributed throughout all its tissues until they reach the entire fruit. As a result, pesticide residues are often contained throughout the fruit or vegetable, so washing the surface will not remove it.“.
However, PAN recommends UK consumers to Buy local fruit and vegetables or in any case from the European Union, as the European Union has one of the most restrictive regulations in the world On the use of pesticides Pesticides are likely to be banned if they suspect that a chemical may be harmful to humans in some way, even as a precaution. In the same way, the UK acts, which so far reflects EU regulations.
Copyright: Fruitbook Magazine
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