The Food Standards Agency has leapt to the defence of fruit and vegetables after the latest pesticide scare report from Friends of the Earth.
Friends of the Earth is urging parents not to stop giving apples and pears to their children, as fresh fruit is an important part of a healthy diet. However, its report focuses on the pesticides carbendazim, dithiocarbamates and phosmet, which can only potentially be found occur on imported fruit.
Carbendazim and dithiocarbamates are suspected of disrupting hormone function.
Phosmet is an organophosphate insecticide, which has the potential to damage the nervous system and is a potential carcinogen.
FotE concentrates its efforts on the effects of residues on children, saying they are particularly susceptible because they are still growing and developing. The report adds that while there may be no obvious immediate effects from consuming these chemicals at high levels, there may be long-term implications.
An FSA spokesman said it would be "unfortunate" if the study deterred parents from encouraging their children to eat fruit.
He aid that the paper "appears to present an unrealistic scenario of children regularly eating fruit with high levels of pesticides”.
He added: "Maximum levels of residues allowed in foods are generally set well below the safety limit giving an additional margin of protection.
"Levels of pesticides currently found in food are not a safety concern, if they were the agency would take immediate action."
David Budd, of the British Independent Fruit Growers Association, decided to take another stance, however, saying: "I'm concerned that it appears from this research that safety levels for apples and pears could be breached even when legal limits have been met.
"We go to great lengths to minimise inputs and are pleased that these efforts are reflected in the results that show English apples and pears are a safer option than imported."
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