Fruit and veg are safe for school children

The latest results from the (PRC) programme of pesticide residue testing in fruit and vegetables supplied to school children in the Autumn term 2007 were published this month, revealing that none of the samples tested contained pesticides residues above the legal trading level. Tests carried out on 58 samples of six different fruit and vegetables found that 16 samples did not contain any detectable residues, and 42 contained residues within the legal trading level. None of the samples tested contained pesticides residues above the maximum residue level. Risk assessments concluded that the residues detected were unlikely to affect the health of children eating the produce. Dr Ian Brown, chairman of the PRC, commented on the results: "None of the results in the Autumn Term gave the PRC any concern for consumer health. They show that these fruit and vegetables supplied to school children either do not contain detectable residues or where residues are found they are in accordance with legal limits." The PRC is an independent body which advises Government, the Food Standards Agency and the Pesticides Safety Directorate. The full report 'School Fruit and Vegetable Scheme Autum 2007 Term' is available online at www.pesticides.gov.uk/prc.asp?id=826