Perchlorate on fruits and vegetables

Fruits and vegetables contaminated with perchlorate

06/17/2013

Residues of the chemical perchlorate may be present on almost all fruits and vegetables. In a recent research by the NDR consumer magazine „market“ Almost every sample tested was contaminated with perchlorate. Here, significant health effects are feared, among other things as perchlorate inhibits the function of the thyroid gland. How the otherwise used, for example, as a fuel in rockets and fireworks or as a drug against hyperthyroidism applied to the food, has not been conclusively clarified. But apparently this is a problem that has been known for a long time.

Particularly critical are the perchlorate residues detected on fruit and vegetable samples from several supermarkets, as these can not be washed off and the chemical does not evaporate during cooking, reports the chemist and food analyst, Dr. med. Günter Lach, opposite the NDR consumer magazine. According to the expert is „a drug that is present in a drug, and because it is supposed to have an effect, in a food completely incalculable“, why perchlorate „nothing at all in food“ have. The residues of the chemical could have health consequences, especially for children. Günter Lach.

Almost every sample contaminated with perchlorate
According to information from the NDR were for the searches of the consumer magazine „market“ 17 samples from different countries of origin in discounters and supermarkets as well as on the weekly market and then examined in the laboratory. The focus of the research was „including watermelons, zucchini and lettuce“, reports the NDR. The laboratory analysis had detected perchlorate in almost every sample, with „in three samples far more than the maximum recommended by the Federal Institute for Risk Assessment found“ has been. It can be assumed that almost every variety of fruits and vegetables could contain perchlorate residues. How the contamination arises and what health risk this entails, remains so far open.

Problem of perchlorate contamination has long been known
According to the NDR communication, the consumer magazine is „Documents proving that the producers know the problem.“ These had already carried out independent investigations and collected data on perchlorate. The result is a list that shows that almost every variety of fruits and vegetables can be contaminated. „In the US, the problem has been known for about ten years“, The focus here is on the occurrence in drinking water, reports the NDR. Theoretically, perchlorate could also be naturally produced under certain conditions, but currently there are no indications, „that the occurrence of perchlorate in fruits and vegetables can be explained by natural processes.“ Asked for an opinion, the Federal Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Consumer Protection (BMELV) explained „market“, that „the appearance of perchlorate in food poses a new problem“ be and „the competent authorities are currently working intensively to clarify the causes and to take appropriate measures“ work. Germany has also engaged the EU Commission, „linked to the request for an EFSA evaluation by the European Food Safety Authority“, explained the BMLEV. This step was necessary, „since the findings of perchlorate in food can not be limited to specific regions.“

Fertilizer as a source of contamination?
The operators of discounters and supermarkets were asked by the NDR consumer magazine for an opinion. Edeka, for example, explained that the findings are taken very seriously. „We have contacted the producers' associations and asked them to intensify the controls even further“, the NDR quotes the opinion of Edeka. The discounter Lidl got the consumer magazine „market“ informed that the „Sensitized suppliers and informed about the risk of unconscious entry of perchlorate in fruits and vegetables“ had been. However, as long as it remains unclear how perchlorate enters the food, avoiding such contamination remains difficult. The Federal Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Consumer Protection „market“ The suggestion that the source of the contamination could possibly be fertilizer, however, offers a starting point that should urgently be reviewed.

Improved consumer protection required
In case of doubt, a ban on perchlorate in fertilizers should also be considered, according to the experts' position in view of the increasing contamination of food. „Here must be a very clear regulation ago that substances such as perchlorate may no longer be included in the products“, explained Dr. Lach. All who deliver food to consumers have a responsibility to protect the health of consumers. The food retail trade must develop appropriate pressure - on producers and suppliers of such fertilizers, so that in future the rocket fuel can no longer be found on vegetables and fruits. So far, there seems to be little possibility of eating fruits and vegetables to be sure that no perchlorate is absorbed. Although, according to the NDR consumer magazine, organic foods were less affected than conventional fruits and vegetables, but these were not burden-free. (Fp)

Picture: Gabi Eder