Pesticides were in the headlines again this week after the publication of a new report.
The Pesticide Residues Committee declared that 1.7 percent of 3,562 samples of both imported and UK-produced food contained residues above the permitted maximum levels, whilst 65.7 percent contained no traces at all.
The committee carried out full risk assessments, including vulnerable groups such as children and the elderly, and found that most of the samples were unlikely to have any effect on people’s health.
Samples were collected in 2006 from sources including shops, markets, ports and wholesale suppliers, and tested for a range of pesticides.
Speaking at the Festival of Science, Dr Ian Brown, the committee’s chairman, said that despite the low risks, the committee had to follow up any problems they identified to maintain the high standards of protection they have.
He added: “I can understand that some people have concerns about pesticide residues in their food, but as a doctor I cannot overemphasise the importance of continuing to eat at least five portions of fruit and vegetables a day.
“Scientific evidence shows that the health benefits far outweigh any concerns about pesticide residues.”
