More than Half of Food and Drinks Contain 'Forever Chemicals': Strawberries Worse Affected
In 2022, UK government testing discovered that over half of food and drink samples contained "forever chemicals" known as PFAs.
These toxins, which take centuries to decompose and have been linked to health issues, were most prevalent in strawberries.
Campaigners are urging the government to ban the use of 25 PFA-containing pesticides, six of which are classified as highly hazardous.
Over 3,300 samples tested positive for PFAs.
A recent report from the Environment Department's advisory committee on pesticide residues (PRiF) found that 95% of strawberry samples contained per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAs), which were the worst affected among the 120 tested food samples.
Other foods with high levels of PFAs included peaches, cucumbers, apricots, and beans, with at least 15% of samples containing these pesticides.
The report stated that 56.4% of the samples contained pesticide residues below the maximum residue level (MRL) allowed by law, but 1.8% of the samples had residues above the legal limit.
The UK's Health and Safety Executive (HSE) assesses the risks of all pesticide residues found in the testing program and takes further action if health risks are identified.
The HSE (Health and Safety Executive) usually finds no health risks to consumers even when food contains pesticide residues above the Maximum Residue Limits (MRLs).
However, according to Pesticide Action Network UK (Pan UK), MRLs do not ensure the safety of the actual pesticide amount in the food.
Campaigners are urging the government to ban the use of 25 PFA-containing pesticides, six of which are classified as highly hazardous.
Over 3,300 samples tested positive for PFAs.
A recent report from the Environment Department's advisory committee on pesticide residues (PRiF) found that 95% of strawberry samples contained per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAs), which were the worst affected among the 120 tested food samples.
Other foods with high levels of PFAs included peaches, cucumbers, apricots, and beans, with at least 15% of samples containing these pesticides.
The report stated that 56.4% of the samples contained pesticide residues below the maximum residue level (MRL) allowed by law, but 1.8% of the samples had residues above the legal limit.
The UK's Health and Safety Executive (HSE) assesses the risks of all pesticide residues found in the testing program and takes further action if health risks are identified.
The HSE (Health and Safety Executive) usually finds no health risks to consumers even when food contains pesticide residues above the Maximum Residue Limits (MRLs).
However, according to Pesticide Action Network UK (Pan UK), MRLs do not ensure the safety of the actual pesticide amount in the food.
