Illegal pesticide levels found in 2 per cent of UK foods
quarter of 2006 contained pesticide residues above the maximum
permitted levels.
The findings by the UK's environmental department's Pesticide Residues Committee indicates that despite regulatory action, the level remains stubbornly stable. The same percentage figure was obtained in the fourth quarter of 2005, indicating that processors have to do more when checking their supplies.
The latest quarterly report found that 61.7 per cent of the 366 samples of seven different foods tested had no detectable residues, and 36.4 per cent contained levels below the maximum residues level (MRL) - the legally permitted level. Seven of the samples, or 1.9 per cent, contained residues above the MRL.
Illegal MRLs were found in one sample of grapes imported from outside the EU, four samples of lettuce, and two speciality fruits.
"None of these residues were likely to cause concern for people's health," the committee stated in its report.
No residues were found in any of the milk samples. Ian Brown, committee chairman, said the committee examined each of the products that exceeded the levels and concluded that in every case the illegal MRL was unlikely to have resulted in any adverse health effects for consumers.
"The majority of these 'exceedances' are exceedances of MRLs set at the lowest level which can be routinely tested for because producers have not supplied information to set a higher level," he said.
The committee has asked suppliers and the authorities in exporting countries for an explanation of the findings.
"It is important to stress that the positive effects of eating fresh fruit and vegetables as part of a balanced healthy diet far outweigh any concern about pesticide residues," Brown stated.
The PRC is an independent body that provides advice to government, the Food Standards Agency and the Pesticides Safety Directorate. The results are part of a £2.2 million food and drink monitoring programme which takes place each year. It covers testing from January to March 2006.
The MRL, or maximum residue level, is the maximum concentration of a pesticide residue - expressed as milligrams per kilogram, or parts per million - legally permitted in or on our food and animal feeds.
The PRC committee tests samples from a range of goods from retailers wholesalers, packers, farmers, ports and processors every year as part of an on-going monitoring programme.
