Dangerous levels of pesticide on grapes

DANGEROUS levels of pesticides have been found in grapes on sale in supermarkets across Europe.

A survey of 18 big food retailers in five European countries has discovered illegal, unauthorised and unsafe pesticides on grapes on sale to consumers.

Although no supermarkets in the republic were included in the survey, it identified Lidl — the German discount retailer which has more than 90 stores in Ireland — as the only outlet selling grapes not significantly contaminated by pesticides.

The study conducted by Pesticide Action Network Europe, a network of European environmental groups including Voice in Ireland, found one third of grapes examined were classified as “not recommended” for human consumption due to the high levels of pesticide contamination. It found six grape samples contained pesticides above EU maximum legal limits, including grapes sold in France by Aldi. Grapes sold by Aldi, which were grown in Italy, also contained the insecticide, endosulfan, which has been illegal in the EU since December 31, 2007.

However, the survey also noted different results for pesticide levels in grapes sold in different countries by both Aldi and Lidl.

“Aldi’s stores in France were found to sell grapes that the retailer’s own code of conduct would not permit for sale in Germany.”

The survey comes in advance of an EU food monitoring report due to be published shortly which is expected to confirm that pesticide levels in fruit, vegetables and cereals sold in European supermarkets are reaching record levels.

Almost half of all fresh products sold in EU supermarkets are contaminated with pesticides, especially grapes, bananas and peppers. Some grapes bought from a German wholesaler contained a carcinogenic pesticide at twice the safety level recommended by the World Health Organisation.

PAN Europe claimed such grapes had pesticides at levels which posed an acute health risk to young children according to WHO guidelines. On average, seven pesticides were detected on each sample of grape.

A Food Safety Authority of Ireland spokesperson said tests for pesticides on fruit and vegetables were carried out on its behalf by the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food.