Toxic Harvest: Imported Vegetables Laced with Dangerous Pesticides

The results of the analyses carried out by UFC-Que-Choisir on French, Spanish and Moroccan tomatoes are unequivocal. "We have indeed compared, based on the results of tests carried out by the French authorities in 2019, 2021 and 2022, on 120 French tomatoes, 21 Spanish and 33 Moroccan, the contamination of the latter by pesticide residues. [...] On average, more than half of the Moroccan tomatoes analyzed and 80% of the Spanish ones had multiple pesticide residues, compared to 15% of the French ones."

"And if we focus only on the molecules that are now officially recognized as dangerous to health by the European authorities (carcinogenic, endocrine disruptors, etc.), 6% of conventional French tomatoes contained them, compared to nearly 40% of those imported from Spain or Morocco."

Based on these alarming findings, French media are advising the French to favor French (and therefore seasonal) tomatoes and those from organic farming: "No risk residues were found on the organic tomatoes analyzed by the authorities, regardless of their origin. Even if our investigation reveals that it is not an absolute guarantee, particularly in terms of respect for workers’ rights or water resource management."

Consumers have been urged to adopt simple gestures to reduce these traces, without however renouncing food variety. They are recommended to favor local and seasonal products as much as possible, to peel thick-skinned vegetables such as cucumbers, carrots or apples, especially when they are not organic, to vary the sources of supply and to diversify their diet. "In short, adopting a few simple reflexes - washing, brushing, peeling, favoring organic and local - is enough to effectively limit pesticide contamination, while continuing to fully enjoy the nutritional benefits of vegetables. A healthy gesture as good for the body as for the planet," concludes Au Féminin.