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Canadians are concerned about pesticide residue on fruit and vegetables
Nov. 20, 2008
Sixty per cent of Canadians are concerned about pesticide residue on fruit and vegetables, according to poll results released by the Canadian Cancer Society. Starting today, the Society is hosting a two-day conference exploring the connection between pesticides and cancer.
“Now, more than ever, Canadians are concerned about the food they eat and how it affects their health, including cancer risk,” says Heather Logan, Senior Director, Cancer Control Policy and Information, Canadian Cancer Society. “The conference is about protecting the health of Canadians by using the best information available to move forward.”
The Society has brought together leading international experts to focus discussions on non-cosmetic use of pesticides, including agricultural use. “This conference is an important step in setting the agenda for future research and action on behalf of Canadians,” says Logan.
Poll results also show:
1. Almost half of respondents said pesticides should be used carefully to balance the health benefits of having fruit and vegetables available with the potential harm from the chemicals.
2. 80 percent carefully wash all fruit and vegetables before consuming to reduce their exposure to pesticide residue. Twenty-four per cent said they purchase products that have not been exposed to chemicals when they can.
3. 55 per cent believe that they do not receive enough information about the use of pesticides to make informed choices about the food they buy.
4. 74 per cent said they would support stronger federal government regulations aimed at reducing the initial use of pesticides in food production.
1. Almost half of respondents said pesticides should be used carefully to balance the health benefits of having fruit and vegetables available with the potential harm from the chemicals.
2. 80 percent carefully wash all fruit and vegetables before consuming to reduce their exposure to pesticide residue. Twenty-four per cent said they purchase products that have not been exposed to chemicals when they can.
3. 55 per cent believe that they do not receive enough information about the use of pesticides to make informed choices about the food they buy.
4. 74 per cent said they would support stronger federal government regulations aimed at reducing the initial use of pesticides in food production.
About the conference
Exploring the Connection: A State of the Science Conference on Pesticides and Cancer is a two-day conference (November 12 and 13) organized by the Canadian Cancer Society. The conference is taking place at the Marriott Toronto Bloor Yorkville Hotel.
Experts at the conference will discuss:
1. the state of the science about non-cosmetic use of pesticides and cancer
2. precautionary policies that could help reduce our exposure to pesticides
3. what future research needs to be done
4. what opportunities for action exist
1. the state of the science about non-cosmetic use of pesticides and cancer
2. precautionary policies that could help reduce our exposure to pesticides
3. what future research needs to be done
4. what opportunities for action exist
“The Society is committed to working with Canadians, governments, public health agencies and the agricultural community to try and find out more about this important health issue,” says Paul Lapierre, VP, Public Affairs and Cancer Control, Canadian Cancer Society.
Innovative Research surveyed approximately 1,166 Canadians online in its national Canada 20/20 Panel from November 6 to 10, 2008. People who are part of the panel are recruited from a wide variety of sources to reflect the age, gender, region and language characteristics of the country as a whole.
Each survey is administered to a series of randomly selected samples from the panel and weighted to ensure the sample's composition reflects the actual Canadian population according to Census data. An unweighted probability sample of this size, with a 100 percent response rate, would have an estimated margin of error of +/- 2.9 percentage points, 19 times out of 20.
Each survey is administered to a series of randomly selected samples from the panel and weighted to ensure the sample's composition reflects the actual Canadian population according to Census data. An unweighted probability sample of this size, with a 100 percent response rate, would have an estimated margin of error of +/- 2.9 percentage points, 19 times out of 20.
Source: Canadian Cancer Society
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