German retailer Real, part of the Metro Group, has reportedly dimissed claims made by Greenpeace suggesting that imported table grapes sampled from the retailer's stores contained a higher than permitted level of pesticide residues.
According to a report by Fruchthandel, a study carried out by Greenpeace Germany found residues of the pesticide Procymidone on grapes imported from Turkey at a level of 1.2mg per kg.
However, while Real insisted a maximum residue level of 5mg per kg was allowed for Procymidone, the environmental pressure group has suggested that the substance is not permitted in the EU.
According to the German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR), Procymidone is among the 170 substances currently under review by the EU authorities with regard to approved limits.
A full report will appear in the week 48 edition of Fruchthandel Magazine.
