Toxic Pesticide Found in Moroccan Watermelons Imported to Spain, EU Warns

These Moroccan watermelons would contain 0.38+/-0.19 mg/kg-ppm of this carbamate pesticide, while the Maximum Residue Limit (MRL) is 0.015 mg/kg - ppm, reports Horto Info.

The Rapid Alert System for Food and Feed (RASFF) has described the entry into Spain of these Moroccan watermelons as "serious", alerting the competent authorities so that they can follow the distribution circuit of these fruits and remove them from the market to prevent their consumption by the population.

Methomyl is a pesticide whose consumption is harmful to humans, even if the toxic effect is short-lived. However, serious cases, especially related to alcohol consumption, can occur and affect the central and peripheral nervous system, or lead to acute renal failure.