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Dear John

Concerned about pesticide residues in your food? Our list of the ‘dirtiest’ fruit and vegetables reveals the produce most likely to contain cocktails of multiple pesticides.

The Dirty Dozen is based on PAN UK analysis of the UK government’s pesticide residue testing programme and the latest leaflet reveals the fruit and vegetables most likely to contain more than one pesticide in 2022 (the most recent year for which data is available).

Looking beyond these twelve ‘worst offenders’ the data reveals that the prevalence of pesticide cocktails in our food appears to be rising, with this year’s results the worst since PAN UK began its analysis in 2018.
Specifically:

• Since 2018, the percentage of all food tested containing multiple pesticide residues has never exceeded 32.5%, but this year jumped to 39%.

• The total percentage of fruit and vegetables containing multiple pesticides residues has never exceeded 48%, but this year rose to 53%.

• Apples containing multiple pesticide residues has increased from 44% in 2018 to 60% in 2019 to 72% this year (apples were not tested in other years).

• Spinach containing multiple pesticide residues has increased from 57% in 2019 to 73% this year (spinach was not tested in other years).

Our analysis found a total of 134 different pesticide residues across all produce, 50% of which are classified as ‘Highly Hazardous Pesticides’ – a UN concept used to identify pesticides with high potential to cause harm. Specifically, the produce tested by the government contained:

• 45 carcinogens which are capable of causing different types of cancer.

• 25 endocrine disruptors (EDCs) which can interfere with hormone systems and cause birth defects, developmental disorders and reproductive problems such as infertility.

• 14 ‘developmental or reproductive toxins’ which can have adverse effects on sexual function and fertility and cause miscarriages.

• 10 cholinesterase inhibitors that reduce the ability of nerve cells to pass information to each other and can impair the respiratory system and cause confusion, headaches and weakness.

The ‘cocktail effect’ has long-been recognised as an area of concern in the UK. Despite this, little has been done to understand or prevent the human health impacts that may occur due to long-term exposure to pesticide cocktails. Find out more about the cocktail effect.

One more thing…

We hope that you find our new guide useful and ask that you please consider donating to support our ongoing endeavour to detoxify the UK for a healthier and more sustainable future. We are the only UK charity focused on tackling the problems caused by pesticides and endlessly struggle to raise funds. We're small and dynamic and with support from people like you we're able to have lasting impact! Thank you.

In solidarity,

the team at PAN UK