Pesticide Residue in Food

Katharina Paul-Mercier 31 agosto, 2023 ambiente, salute

How to reduce the risk

For foods with a higher risk of residues exceeding the MRL, it is possible to limit exposure by washing fruits and vegetables, or by opting for foods derived from organic farming. In addition, consuming pesticide-free products and encouraging ecological agriculture has the potential to limit possible contact or exposure to these products via the environment.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the major subject of pesticides is complex and involves several actors, including from the political, economic and environmental spheres. As consumers, we can ask ourselves what our role is and what is the impact of our choices. One thing is certain, it is important to stay informed, and to ensure that the information we take in comes from reliable sources based on the most up-to-date science.

* To learn more about the process for setting maximum residue limits (MRL) for pesticides, visit Health Canada’s website.

Sources

Blais, S. (2023, 20 juin). Ottawa lève la pause sur l’augmentation des limites de résidus de pesticides sur les aliments. Le Devoir. https://www.ledevoir.com/environnement/793327/ottawa-leve-la-pause-sur-l-augmentation-des-limites-de-residus-de-pesticides-sur-les-aliments

Gerbet, T. (2023, 20 juin). Ottawa va de nouveau permettre plus de pesticides dans certains aliments. Radio-Canada. https://ici.radio-canada.ca/nouvelle/1989657/ottawa-pesticides-glyphosate-aliments-lmr

Gerbet, T. (2021, 30 mars). Québec reconnaît le lien entre les pesticides et la maladie de Parkinson. Radio-Canada. https://ici.radio-canada.ca/nouvelle/1780853/parkinson-pesticides-maladie-professionnelle-quebec

Girard-Bossé, A. (2023, 27 juillet). Santé Canada propose un seuil décuplé pour un pesticide. La Presse. https://www.lapresse.ca/actualites/2023-07-27/betteraves-traitees-au-fludioxonil/sante-canada-propose-un-seuil-decuple-pour-un-pesticide.php

Environmental Working Group. (2023, mars 30). EWG’s 2023 Shopper’s Guide to Pesticides in Produce. https://www.ewg.org/foodnews/summary.php

EFSA (European Food Safety Authority), Carrasco Cabrera, L et al. (2023). The 2021 European Union report on pesticide residues in food. EFSA Journal 2023; 21(4):7939, 89 pp. https://doi.org/10.2903/j.efsa.2023.7939

Sandoval-Insausti H, et al. (2022). Intake of fruits and vegetables according to pesticide residue status in relation to all-cause and disease-specific mortality: Results from three prospective cohort studies. Environment International, 159, 107024. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envint.2021.107024

Valcke M, et al. (2017). Human health risk assessment on the consumption of fruits and vegetables containing residual pesticides: A cancer and non-cancer risk/benefit perspective. Environment International, 108, 63-74. doi: 10.1016/j.envint.2017.07.023.

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Autori

Katharina Paul-Mercier

Katharina ha conseguito una laurea in nutrizione umana presso la McGill University, è stata membro dell'Ordre des diététistes nutritionnistes du Québec (ODNQ) dal 2021 al 2026 ed è certificata dalla Monash University per il protocollo FODMAP per il trattamento della sindrome dell'intestino irritabile. Ha lavorato come nutrizionista clinica per SOSCuisine dal 2022 al 2026 e ha contribuito attivamente allo sviluppo di SOS FODMAP Wizard. Dopo aver conseguito un Master in scienze ambientali in Germania nel 2025, ha da allora indirizzato la sua carriera verso questo campo e ora vive in Europa.