At least two pesticides in half of bread sold in UK, data shows

Half the bread sold in the UK contains at least two different pesticides, according to government data.

According to analysis by Pesticide Action Network UK (PAN) This is a 50% increase on last year and a significant increase over the last decade when on average around 25% of the bread contained pesticide cocktails.

PAN is calling on Environment Secretary Therese Coffey to "take urgent action to reduce pesticide-related harm".

Every year the UK government tests food on sale for consumption for pesticides and publishes details of those found. This year more than a third (47) of the total pesticides found on produce are not approved in the UK, meaning UK farmers cannot use them.

He tested a range of baked goods – from standard white and brown bread to crumpets, scones and muffins – and found a total of 11 different pesticides, including five that PAN says have links to the cancer.

PAN's Nick Mole said: "With the cost of living crisis forcing people to spend less on food, it is essential that consumers can trust that relatively cheap products like bread have won Don't expose them to dangerous mixes of chemicals The government says it's committed to tackling pesticides, so why have pesticide cocktails been allowed to double in a staple that most of us eat at least once a day?"

The tests, which took place in 2021, also revealed that pesticides are widely present in fruits and vegetables, with 100% of sampled grapefruits containing at least one pesticide. The highest number of pesticides found on a 1kg grapefruit sample was nine.

Slightly less than a third of the vegetables (30%) and more than both third of the fruits (69%) were found to contain residues of more than one chemical.

Mole added: "There is a growing body of evidence showing that the pesticides can become more harmful when combined with each other.And yet we continue to set safe limits for only one chemical at a time.We actually have no idea of ​​the long-term impacts of consumption small amounts of hundreds of different chemicals. We choose to play Russian roulette with people's health."

Government testing revealed 137 re different pesticide sidus in all products, many of which are linked to serious chronic health effects. This included 46 carcinogens, 27 endocrine disruptors which can interfere with hormonal systems and in some cases cause birth defects, developmental disorders and reproductive problems such as infertility, and 14 cholinesterase inhibitors, which reduce the ability of nerve cells to transmit information to each other and can impair the respiratory system and cause confusion, headaches and weakness.

Mark Willis , head of the chemical contaminants and residues branch at the Food Standards Agency, said: "Our role is to protect consumers by ensuring that any food placed on the market is safe. Where pesticides in a food product are found above above a maximum residue level, the FSA will be notified.If it exceeds this maximum level and may pose a health risk, we will ensure that s appropriate action is taken, such as removing the items from the market. »