News yesterday [Tuesday] that scientists working for the Food Standards Agency believe that it is not necessary to wash fresh produce to rid it of pesticide residues has been slammed by environmental campaigners.
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Sandra Bell, real foods campaigner for pressure group Friends of the Earth, argued that the new advice is “irresponsible”.
The Government’s Chief Medical Officer originally issued the advice that children’s fruit and vegetables should be peeled in 1997, following concern over small children’s exposure to pesticides. The Advisory Committee on Pesticides (ACP) is recommending however that the Government withdraw this safety advice.
“It’s appalling that the FSA and Government pesticide advisers want to abandon this important safety advice for children. Youngsters should be encouraged to eat more fruit and vegetables without being exposed to unnecessary health risks,” said Bell.
“We’re not confident there has been any significant change since 1997, and we’ve looked at exactly the same papers as the advisory committee,” she continued.
“Those papers actually found that safety levels set specifically for children are exceeded for a wide range of pesticides on fruit and vegetables that are eaten commonly by children.
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By GlobalData“So we’re not convinced at all that this peeling advice should go at this stage.”
The FSA admitted it was concerned that “misinterpretation” of the advice could imply that “only organic fruit should be supplied to the National School Fruit Scheme”.
