PAN UK - Pesticides in your food

There have been a number of surveys by both retailers and government over the years to discover how concerned the public are about residues in their food.

Co op Survey, 2001
In 2001, the Co-op commissioned NOP to survey UK consumers about their feelings on the use of pesticides in food production (Green and Pleasant Land, Co-operative Retail, 2001).

91% thought food stores and manufacturers should tell people about pesticide residues and 85% thought they should also tell people which pesticides are used on produce.

When asked about how concerned people were about pesticides, the following percentages were quite or very concerned:

Harmful to growing children	77%
Harmful to me	73%
Pollute watercourses	76%
Leave residues in food	72%
Pollute generally	74%
Harmful to wildlife	72%
Damage health of farm workers	70%

24% would like retailers to sell food that has not had pesticides used at all
45% would like retailers to sell food where use of pesticides is minimal

Only 5% are happy for retailers to sell food that comes from anywhere, regardless of which pesticides have been used

Eurobarometer 2005
Pesticides EU are citizens' top food-related health concern - Eurobarometer 2005

A Eurobarometer survey conducted in autumn 2005 examined EU citizens' general risk perceptions and risks associated with food. It also analysed the citizens' perception of public authorities' role and actions, especially with respect to food safety, and looked at people's exposure to media coverage.

The study was commissioned by the Commission and the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA).

63% were concerned about pesticide residues in fruit and vegetables.

The Eurobarometer survey shows that environmental pollution (61%) and car accidents (51%) are the health concerns that the largest proportion of the population considers likely to affect them personally. Forty-nine percent are afraid of a serious illness and 42% think that their health could be damaged by the food they eat or by other consumer goods.
As to food safety, the survey results show high levels of concern about:

pesticide residues in fruit, vegetables and cereals (63%),
new viruses like avian influenza (62%),
residues in meats like antibiotics and hormones (62%),
unhygienic conditions in food handling outside the home, such as in food processing plants, shops or restaurants (62%),
pollutants like mercury or dioxins (59%),
genetically modified products in food or drinks (58%) and
additives like colours, preservatives or flavourings used in food or drinks (57%).

According to the survey, the Greeks, Italians and Cypriots are the biggest worriers about food contamination issues whereas the Dutch, Finns and Swedes worry the least.

Food Standards Agency research
Each year the Food Standards Agency conduct an investigation into consumer attitudes to food, including the use of pesticides, and publishes these on its website. In the latest survey, 47% of people were concerned about the use of pesticides to grow food, a slight increase on the previous year.

They are also currently conducting some detailed studies of people’s attitudes to pesticides using focus groups - Pesticides consumer research

Click here to make your concerns on pesticide residues known to your local supermarket