The annual report of the Pesticide Residues Committee (PRC) for 2001 was published by the UK government’s Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) today [Wednesday].
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The report summarises the results from samples of both imported and home-produced food which were collected throughout last year and tested for a wide range of different pesticides.
Detailed results for the 2001 surveys including brand name details have already been published in a series of quarterly reports. The PRC’s annual report draws together these results to present an overall picture of the year’s findings.
Dr Ian Brown, chair of the PRC said:
“Overall, this report shows that the high standards of food safety found through PRC monitoring in recent years have been maintained. The vast majority of food – over 99% of samples tested – is either residue free or contains residues at levels in accordance with guidelines.
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By GlobalDataAmong the findings:
· No residues were found in goat’s/ewe’s milk, chicken, eggs, honey, marrows, orange juice and yoghurt/fromage frais;
· 45% of crisps contained residues. Risk assessments indicated that none of the residues found were of concern for consumer health, including children whose consumption of this product is relatively high;
· A total of 29% of breakfast cereals and 68% of cereal bars contained residues. All at levels well within those set according to good agricultural practice.
Testing record criticised
While PRC stressed there were no health risks to consumers, Friends of the Earth slammed the UK’s pesticide testing record, claiming it has a lower rate of testing per 100,000 head of population than any other country in the European Union. It showed particular concern about the level of pesticides in children’s food such as biscuits and bananas.
Friends of the Earth says UK consumers are given inadequate information about their exposure to chemicals in food and it wants companies which make pesticides to pay for better testing.
