Unauthorized pesticides in lettuce & rocket

Greenpaece: Non-authorized pesticides in lettuce & rocket

The environmental organization Greenpeace commissioned a laboratory to investigate rocket and lettuce from supermarkets and discounters. Residues of harmful pesticides were found in 29 out of 36 samples.

11 out of 21 lettuces and 4 rucola salads are considered by environmentalists „not recommended“. In one case, Greenpeace has even filed a criminal complaint because the Acute Reference Dose (ARfD) of a pesticide was exceeded, which can be particularly dangerous for children when eating the affected product.

In addition, the controlled products still contain active ingredients that are not authorized in the European Union (EU). It is scandalous that it also detected the substance acting as a neurotoxin Tolclofos- methyl. In 3 samples, pesticides were found that exceed the statutory maximum doses. Such a commodity should not appear in the trade, according to Greenpeace.

Moreover, in many cases greatly increased nitrate levels were found. These substances are able to convert into carcinogenic nitrosamines in our body.

Manfred Santen, a chemical expert from Greenpeace, states that with only one lettuce and three Rucola salads from conventional cultivation too few are unloaded. He points out that in the winter, lettuces are usually over-fertilized and heavily sprayed in greenhouses. In his opinion, they are therefore expected to be at risk in this season.

It is also alarming that not to exceed the maximum quantities for a substance, just whole „cocktails“ used by pesticides. The laboratory commissioned by Greenpeace found up to 25 different pestitises on several lettuce leaves. For some Rucola varieties up to six.

Examined organic varieties were far less or not at all burdened. That's why Greenpeace is also taking up an old claim of naturopathy that there should be more organic varieties from the affected salads in supermarkets and discounters. This measure alone could be a decisive step in health prophylaxis, if one looks at the frightening results of the Greenpeace investigation. (Thorsten Fischer, Naturopath Osteopathy, 03.02.2010)