WHAT MIGHT BE LURKING ON YOUR STRAWBERRIES AND LETTUCE
What’s in your fruit and vegetables? hundreds of different chemicals — and thousands of branded products — are licensed for use on fruit and veg. here, we give the details of some that have been found on your favourite fresh produce in official residue tests.
APPLES Captan
A fungicide, it can be used up to ten times to prevent scab infections on leaves and fruit. It can cause rashes and serious eye irritations
Benzyladenine
A plant growth regulator applied to chemically thin the crop, allowing remaining fruit to grow larger. Comes with a warning that it is harmful to aquatic organisms — which could cause problems if it is allowed to leach into waterways.
Chlorantraniliprole
Insecticide, used twice yearly to kill moths. Highly toxic to aquatic organisms.
Dithianon
Six treatments per crop to treat scab infections. Farmers are advised not to breathe in the mist during spraying and to wash before eating, drinking or smoking and after work.
LETTUCE Indoxacarb
A moth-killing insecticide. Those handling the chemical are warned of potential risk of damage to internal organs.
Spirotetramat
Aphid killer. A systemic insecticide that penetrates plant leaves. Those handling the chemical are warned it poses a risk of damage to fertility or the unborn child.
Azoxystrobin
Fungicide that prevents mildew.
Propyzamide
Weed-killer. Studies have shown evidence of a carcinogenic effect in laboratory conditions, but it has been passed as safe in field conditions.
POTATOES Metaldehyde
Slug and snail killer applied twice yearly. Dangerous to game, wild birds and animals.
Lambda-cyhalothrin
Kills aphids. Corrosive to the eyes, skin and lungs.
Flutolanil
A fungicide applied before planting. Farm workers are advised that treated old potatoes in the ground should not be handled unnecessarily, eaten or used as animal feed.
Diquat
Herbicide used to kill potato stalks above ground when the tubers have reached the desired size. Danger of serious damage to health from prolonged exposure. The European Commission is currently considering whether to allow its continued use.
Chlorpropham
Herbicide applied to stored potatoes to prevent sprouting. Prolonged exposure may damage organs.
STRAWBERRIES Thiacloprid
An insecticide used to kill pests, primarily aphids.
Fenhexamid
Fungicide that prevents mould. Growers are advised to ‘wash concentrate/dust from skin or eyes immediately’.
Azoxystrobin
Another fungicide, as above, used to treat ‘black spot’.
Pendimethalin
Herbicide used to kill grasses. Users should wash all protective clothing thoroughly, ‘especially the inside of gloves’. KALE
Thiacloprid
See Strawberries above.
Thiamethoxam
Systemic insecticide seed treatment to prevent attack by the cabbage root fly and cabbage stem flea beetle. Harmful to birds, game and wildlife.
Cypermethrin
Insecticide used to kill caterpillars and flea beetle. Those applying it are warned: ‘May be fatal if swallowed and enters airways’.
Azoxystrobin
Fungicide, as above, used to treat leaf diseases. Farmers are warned to ‘wash any contamination/splashes/dust/ powder/concentrate from skin or eyes immediately’.
Propyzamide
Weed-killer, as above. At least nine months must elapse between applications of propyzamide to the same land.
SPINACH Spinosad
Insecticide. May cause long-term adverse effects in the aquatic environment.
Fluopicolide
Fungicide to prevent mildew. Can cause rashes.
Dimethomorph
Fungicide to treat mildew. Users are advised to use protective breathing equipment.
Mandipropamid
Preventative fungicide. Farmers are advised to not clean spray equipment near surface water and to ‘avoid contamination via drains from farmyards or roads’.
ONIONS Maleic hydrazide
A growth regulator to prevent sprouting during storage. Toxic to aquatic life. Those handling it are advised to wash concentrate/dust from skin or eyes immediately.
Glyphosate
Weedkiller found in a World Health Organisation study to be ‘probably carcinogenic’ but other scientific studies have concluded it is safe to use.
Oxamyl
Insecticide applied at planting, affecting the nervous system of pests. Studies have shown it to be highly toxic to mammals. Breathing equipment is advised.