The fresh produce trade in the UK got a stark warning this week with the publication of the latest quarterly report from the Pesticide Residues Committee for the period October-December 2003 and the results of the national school fruit scheme (NSFS) testing from May-July 2003.

Two samples of apples supplied under NSFS contained dicofel at 100 times the maximum residue level, although the PRC stated that this was not at a level of concern to children’s health.

Supplier Worldwide Fruit was notified and said both the company and its supplier Agricola Fraiburgo of Brazil "deeply regretted" the incident. "On identification of the issue the Fresh Produce Consortium and the technical arm of Worldwide Fruit have undertaken a thorough investigation," the company said in a statement posted on the government’s pesticides website. "The investigation highlighted that this was the first time an incident like this had ever occurred and that this incident had not risen out of negligence by Worldwide Fruit or Agricola Fraiburgo or misuse of pesticides." WWF has since reviewed its procedures in Brazil and the UK undertaking a positive release trial to ensure fruit this season is residue free.

The PRC report this quarter covered more fresh produce lines than usual, but the results were disappointing and indicated that the trade did not pay enough heed to changes in legislation last year.

There were non-approved uses of bifenthrin and oxadyxil on raspberries and oxadyxil on lettuce. Two samples of Greek grape had residues above maximum levels of bromopropylate.

The lapses are a serious problem for the UK trade and were picked up on by pressure group Friends of the Earth and several national newspapers.

"The issue of pesticides remains of vital concern to the FPC," said director Doug Henderson. "We study in great detail the quarterly reports from the PRC to identify the causes of any exceedances or non-approved uses and we use this information to review the procedures outlined in our code of practice as well as the guidance given to the industry.

"This particular report is significant given the number of fresh produce items it covered and we will be discussing the findings in detail at the next pesticides committee meeting on June 30.

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