Pesticides threaten '5 a day' fruit and veg campaign

The case for organic food has strengthened with the publication of data showing that about a third of UK food contains pesticides.

These are not the findings of a green lobby group but of the government's own Pesticides Residue Committee.

The committee moved to reassure consumers by pointing out that the vast majority of cases pesticide levels were safe and that there was no health risk. But not everyone agrees.

'Unafe' pesticide levels were found in 1.7% of the samples tested — up one-third on last year, the result (according to the committee) of more exotic foods being tested. The greater concern is how do you determine what a safe level of a pesticide - which is designed to kill insects and parasites - really is - and what is the effect on humans of the consumption of low levels of pesticides over a period of time?

In total 3,787 samples of imported and home produced food from shops, markets, ports and wholesalers were tested including fruit and vegetables, meat and poultry, cereal products, tea, olive oil, fruit juice and infant foods. No residues were found in chicken, eggs, infant formula, kidneys, milk or swede.

Pesticides Residue Committee chairman Dr Ian Brown said 'the health benefits far outweigh any concern about pesticide residues. I cannot overemphasise the importance of continuing to eat at least five portions of fruit and vegetables a day.'

However, Peter Melchett, policy director of the Soil Association, one of the bodies which certifies organic foods, told the BBC that the committee was being 'extraordinarily complacent and unscientific' especially over the pesticides in food product destined for schools.

Of the 166 samples of food which were for for school children, 132 contained chemical traces at or below the maximum permitted levels while three samples had residues above the legal limits.

The key question: Does this mean you should stop eating fruit and veg? Definitely not but you should wash it very carefully and consider switching to organics if you can.