Official analyses by the Ministry of Agriculture show : 50% of analyzed food are contaminated by pesticides – When is the government going to act?

The environmental problems associated with the use of pesticides are well known: the disappearance of species, water pollution, and so on. As are the negative effects on health linked to direct consumption or dispersion in the air.

Because of their impact on our health, the absorption of pesticides through food is particularly relevant. This makes it all the more important to ensure that food is not contaminated by residues of toxic substances.

Unfortunately, official analyses give a rather worrying picture, such as the latest annual report[i] from the Luxembourg Veterinary and Food Administration (ALVA) on pesticide residues in food for 2022, which has been available for a few weeks now (the 2023 report is not yet available). These reports are produced each year as part of the Europe-wide analysis campaigns carried out by the EFSA (European Food Safety Agency).

A total of 608 samples were analysed. The main products analysed were fruit, vegetables, cereals, spices and herbs, tea, oilseeds, nuts, tubers and wine.

19.1% of the samples came from Luxembourg, 47.6% from other EU countries, 28.7% from outside the EU and 4.6% were of unknown origin.

A rather cursory assessment of the analyses by the Luxembourg ALVA – key aspects are missing.

The authors of the report limit themselves to the following points when interpreting the data:

– 54.1% of all samples (Luxembourgish products analysed and imported products analysed) do not contain pesticide residues (however, according to calculations by the Mouvement Ecologique, only 48.2% of samples do not contain residues. ALVA has admitted to us that this is a possible source of error, as ALVA and the laboratories do not always use the official designations of the European pesticides database).

– 5.8% of the samples exceeded the maximum residue limits and some products were withdrawn from sale.

– Fortunately, no residues were detected in foods intended for infants and young children (foods specifically labelled for infants and young children).

The report also indicates the active substances most frequently detected and distinguishes between foods produced in the EU and those imported from outside the EU.

Unfortunately, the public authorities’ interpretation of the data fails to address some extremely important aspects, including the following:

– The difference in exposure between conventionally and organically produced foods;

– The differences in residues between food produced in Luxembourg and imported food;

– Residues of pesticides not authorised in the EU;

– Multiple contamination of food by different pesticides.

The Mouvement Ecologique investigated these questions and took a closer look at the raw data provided by the ALVA.

As explained below, the Mouvement Ecologique’s analysis provides a far more differentiated picture than that of the state administration.

Read the details: Which foods are contaminated, how much and what needs to be done in the downloads here.

06.02.2025