Pesticide levels in Hungarian & EU fruits rise drastically!

Hungary and other European countries keep ignoring the extreme levels of pesticides in their fruits and vegetables. However, at some point, we must face the harsh reality. Read on to learn more about this ever-growing pressing issue.

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Although a 2009 EU regulation called for the complete ban of the 55 most harmful active substances by 2011, the process of getting rid of poisonous pesticides in Europe is sluggish. These pesticides are under the classification of “candidates for substitution.” Ironically, instead of the disappearance of these dangerous substances, the number of fruits and vegetables that contain them only increases, reports Telex.

Some might say it is not surprising, but Hungarian fruits are especially contaminated. Hungary still allows the use of 50 of the above-mentioned toxins. 50% of cherry samples from Hungary show contamination by these active substances.

Besides cherries, the contamination of lettuce (38%), cucumbers (32%), and apples (34%) is extremely high as well. Lettuce is the third most contaminated vegetable in Hungary, and in the whole Europe as well. 

The facts

This article by the Pesticide Action Network (PAN Europe) reveals the unethical attitude of EU countries towards the issue. These active substances should have been banned a long time ago. They pose a significant danger to people’s health, and these risks are very apparent. A half-hearted attempt by EU legislation was made to stop the use of these substances. While most products meant for plant protection usually pass EU regulations within 7 years, these above-mentioned 55 substances have to wait for 15 years. Instead of substituting these toxic pesticides, their use never seems to cease.

97,170 samples of European fresh products show us that the usage of harmful active substances has increased by 53% over the past 9 years.

According to PAN Europe, examining the samples, 29% of the fruits turned out to be toxic. Cherries showed a 152%, while apples showed a 117% increase in toxicity, compared to data from 2011. PAN Europe campaign officer Salomé Roynel adds – “These chemical substances have to disappear from our food chain. Instead, we have been experiencing a drastic increase in these substances over the past 10 years. Some products have been found to carry traces of two or more of these toxic pesticides. This positively proves that members of the EU fail to comply with regulations, and actively endanger their consumers in the process.”

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Source: 444.hu, pan-europe.info