Bad for Bugs and People

British parents have been warned to peel fruits and vegetables, especially potatoes, after a report produced by the Pesticide Residues Committee revealed that about 30 percent of commonly eaten food tested contained pesticide residues.

Of the 21 different types of items tested, 14 were found to have at least one pesticide on or in them. A number had more than one, raising concern about possible cumulative effects over time.

The advice to peel fruits and vegetables before giving them to small children had been originally issued by the chief medical officer in 1997, but was withdrawn early in the year after the Food Standards Agency decided that pesticide residue levels had improved sufficiently. However, tests conducted from April through June this year found that 54 potato samples (out of 103) had traces of pesticides, of which 36 had levels of the herbicide chlorpropham (known to have a toxic effect on laboratory animals) that “could” be above a safety level for humans if cooked unpeeled.

Eight out of 75 pears tested exceeded the minimum safety limit for humans of the fungicide folpet, a possible carcinogen. In addition, while processed baby food is required, by British law, to be free of pesticide residues, many of the fruits used in baby food were found to be contaminated.

This situation simply attests to the legacy of a century of monoculture, artificial forcing of the land, mass application of chemical fungicides and pesticides and a general loss of the knowledge of ancient, traditional farming practices compatible with care of the natural environment. The effect of these accumulated practices is taking a heavy toll on the health of nations.