Pesticide Alert over Lettuce, Salmon and Child Foods

September 15, 2004

In Lettuce on sale in the UK has been found containing pesticides almost 14 times the safe limit, according to a report published today.

The discovery of high levels of the chemicals raises particular concern for young children.

Tests conducted on behalf of the Government also discovered unacceptable amounts of pesticides in pre-packed salads, farmed fish and infant food.

The research was co-ordinated by the Pesticide Residue Committee (PRC) as part of on-going work.

Their report pinpoints continuing concern about the high levels of pesticides in both home-grown and imported lettuce.

Traces of pesticides were found in 14 out of 24 samples.

One UK round lettuce contained levels of inorganic bromide, a fumigant linked to the destruction of the ozone layer, above the “acute reference dose” – a level above which there could be a risk to health.

The report found inorganic bromide at 2.9 times the limit for adults and 5.4 times the level for children aged four to six.

Concerns were also expressed in the report about a lettuce imported from Spain.

One contained traces of the insecticide endosulfan above what is known as the “maximum residue limit” (MRL) – a level agreed as acceptable in agriculture but which does not pose an immediate risk.

The same lettuce was also found with levels of the insecticide methamidophos 9.3 times the acute reference dose for toddlers and 13.7 times the limit for four to six-year-olds.

Methamidophos is classed as highly hazardous by the World Health Organisation due to its acute toxicity. It is not permitted for use in the UK.

The Food Standards Agency has been alerted to the high reading which, in turn, has informed the European Commission and other member states.

The PRC said the amount of methamidophos was “unlikely” to cause adverse reactions.

However, it warned that “sensitive individuals” could suffer sweating, excess saliva production and “gastrointestinal disturbance” in the short term.

The tests, conducted in the first three months of the year, found 15 out of 23 samples of pre-packed salads with traces of pesticides.

One salad analysed contained six different chemicals, raising concerns about the “cocktail effect” on humans.

Among the other results were pesticides found in all 28 salmon samples tested and 19 out of 20 trout.

Two salmon from the UK which were labelled “organic” both contained an insecticide called DDT, according to the report.

Pesticides in farmed fish is likely to occur through feed and the environment.

The report also found one infant food product made by Heinz with traces of pesticides above the MRL.

The unacceptable reading was found in a sample of Vegetable and Chicken Hotpot, although the amount found did not raise health concerns.

Dr Ian Brown, chairman of the PRC, said: “It is encouraging that more than 80% of commodities tested did not contain residues and of the samples tested less than 1% were found to contain residues of pesticides exceeding their MRLs.

“Action was taken to inform suppliers and authorities of MRL exceedances where they were found.”

Liz Wright, pesticide campaign at environmental group Friends of the Earth, said: “The Government needs to take action to ensure healthy foods such as salads do not contain cocktails of pesticides and ensure safety limits are not breached.

“They must stop delaying and help growers find alternatives to risky chemicals such as methyl bromide as soon as possible.”

Heinz said in a statement: “Mothers can be reassured that all our products remain completely safe to eat and can be used in complete confidence.”