A new report issued by the National Audit Office in the UK revealed loopholes in the testing and monitoring system, finding that the 10 most consumed products were not tested for pesticide residues by the directorate in 2014-2016, including watermelons, sugar melons and vegetable marrows.

Oranges, carrots, beans, spinach, cucumber, potatoes, sweet peppers and olive oil were not tested by the market surveillance directorate between 2014 and 2016, even though they had been found to exceed maximum pesticide levels in previous years.

The Environment Working Group US lists a number of agriculture products that are considered as high risks in terms of pesticide residue. Out of the 12 top ranked products, over the three-year period under review, MSD did not test three of these products, namely celery, cherries and nectarines.

The MSD’s testing did not extend to around half of the 30 items of agricultural produce considered by the National Statistics Office as being among the most consumed products locally

Pesticides residue in fruit, vegetables and cereals ranks as the top health-related concern among EU citizens. The World Health Organisation estimates that, worldwide, pesticides poison at least three million people each year, which in cases prove fatal.