The two organizations examined mangoes, pomegranates, peas and beans purchased in Linz and Vienna. Pesticide residues were found in three quarters of the samples. The goods, which were purchased in various supermarkets and at the Naschmarkt in Vienna, came from countries such as Kenya, Morocco, Peru, Brazil and Turkey, as well as Spain.
Multiple exposure to different active ingredients
Eight pomegranates and mangoes were purchased, as well as five servings of green beans and basil. Only six samples – including four pomegranates and two beans – were not expected to contain pesticides. In most cases, multiple exposure to up to seven different active ingredients was found. It’s unclear what interactions this might have. The legal maximum was exceeded twice and four samples – one of each type of fruit and vegetable – contained plant protection products banned in the EU. These affected goods came from Peru and Kenya; in one case, the origin could no longer be determined.
Double standards in European legislation
According to AK and Global 2000, the fact that fruits and vegetables contaminated with long-banned pesticides can legally enter the European market is due to two standards in European legislation: if pesticide active ingredients lose their EU approval to protect health or the environment, the EU normally fixes the legal maximum values for all products at a minimum value, the limit of quantification (mostly 0.01 mg/kg). In order to allow countries with which there are trade agreements and in which these pesticides are still allowed to export their products to the EU, very high maximum values of up to 10.0 mg/kg are set for some foods produced there.
In the case of imported mangoes, for example, the active substance carbendazim, which has not been approved in the EU since 2014, is subject to a maximum value of 0.5 mg/kg. This value is 50 times higher than the determination threshold that would apply to an EU farmer who cannot legally purchase the pesticide in Europe. Carbendazim mentioned in the example may cause genetic defects, impair fertility and harm an unborn baby.
Pesticides usually come from Europe
The pesticides themselves usually come from Europe: “For reasons of consumer protection, the EU prohibits substances that can be exported from the EU to other countries, where they can harm people and the environment, and in a completely legal way”, criticize AK and Global 2000 in her report. In 2018, for example, over 81,000 tonnes of pesticides that are no longer permitted in the EU, including over 300 tonnes of carbendazim, were exported to third countries by European companies. “And from there they come back to us via products imported from these countries. Also pretty cool,” organizations see a cycle of “double standards.”
Experts therefore advise consumers who want to protect themselves to use seasonal and regional products, as well as those from organic agriculture, in which the use of chemical-synthetic pesticides is not allowed.