Greenpeace Akdeniz detected banned pesticides in 14 of the 90 vegetables it examined, and pesticides/pesticides effective on the hormonal system in 46 of them.
Prepared by Greenpeace Akdeniz with Food Engineer Bülent Şık by examining 90 tomato, cucumber and pepper samples. “The Danger on Our Table: Pesticide” Extremely striking data were obtained in the report. In the report, a total of 90 samples, 30 tomatoes, green peppers and cucumbers, were taken from five big markets and a neighborhood market operating in Turkey in August, October and November 2019. 620 different kinds of pesticide residues were analyzed in food samples, and they were analyzed in an internationally accredited laboratory for pesticide analysis.
The salient findings from the report are as follows:
- 90 pieces of tomato, green pepper and cucumber samples It is prohibited to be used in products in 15.6 percent (14) pesticide residue detected.*
- While the number of pesticides detected in tomato, green pepper and cucumber samples taken in August was 56 in total, it was seen that this number increased in the samples taken out of the season in which the vegetables were grown. It was found that the number almost doubled (96) in October and nearly tripled (139) in November.
- 90 eg in half (52 percent) effective on the hormonal system one or more pesticides residue was detected.
- 90 eg in half (49 percent) in terms of aquatic creatures, bees, algae and beneficial insects residues of pesticides, which are very harmful, were detected.
- Compared to the samples taken from the markets in terms of pesticide residues, the samples taken from the markets 14 percent It was seen that there was a significantly higher risk.
- It was determined that approximately half of 90 food products (42 percent) contain pesticide residues, which cause bioaccumulation in natural life and whose toxic effect persists for a very long time.
- 90 eg in one third (33.3 percent) pesticide applicators Pesticide residues that pose a problem in terms of
- No sample containing 5 and more than 5 pesticide residues was detected in any of the samples taken in August. In 1 out of 30 samples taken in October; In about half of the 30 samples taken in November, 5 or more pesticide residues were found.
- In November, 14 different pesticide residues were found in just one green pepper sample. The toxic effect of a pesticide alone when combined with other pesticides “cocktail effect” may have more negative effects.
- Greenpeace had prepared a “Black List” in 2016, classifying pesticides according to their health effects. The pesticide residues in 77 percent of the 90 products examined in the new study were found to be contrary to one or more of the criteria included in the “Black List” of toxicity to mammals and environmental toxicity.
Greenpeace Mediterranean Food and Agriculture Project Manager Berkan Özyer he said:
“We have poison on our table. We feed our children and loved ones the chemicals that are banned, that should be collected from the market and should not be used. The results of this analysis of the most basic materials of our kitchen show that urgent action is needed. We should be able to consume clean and healthy food on our tables without using toxic chemicals and without being dependent on imported inputs. The way to this is through the ‘ecological agriculture’ model that we advocate as Greenpeace. Strong agricultural policies are needed to implement this model and ensure control.
With the ecological farming model, we can both save the farmers from the pesticide dilemma and provide access to healthy food. It is also of key importance that the farmers receive the fruits of their labor. Producers and consumers need to meet directly, the supply chain needs to be shortened. The way to this is through the producer markets, which are regularly inspected.”