At least 13 food products show excessive use of pesticides in Brazil

A survey conducted by ANVISA (National Health Surveillance Agency) analyzed the use of pesticides in food production in Brazil and 13 grocers have revealed that the levels of pesticide residues are above the permitted level.

Foods with unsatisfactory rates were: pineapple, lettuce, rice, carrot, beans, orange, apple, papaya, strawberry, cucumber, pepper and tomato. The strawberry had the highest defensive accumulation, 32% above the limit.

The results of the Pesticide Residues in Food Analysis Program (PARA) also show that 36% of samples in 2011 and 29% of the 2012 samples showed negative results with indices above the allowed limit or unauthorized pesticides, such as azaconazole and tebufenpyrad. Therefore, ANVISA is considering that these products may have entered Brazil for smuggling.

The positive aspect of PARA is the ability of local authorities to identify the source of food is increasing allowing corrective measures to be adopted. In 2012, 36% of the samples could be traced back to the producer and 50% to the food products distributor.