The debate about pesticide residues in fruits and vegetables coming to the table in Türkiye is on the agenda again. Greenpeace Türkiye’s “What’s Inside?” Within the scope of the campaign, lemon samples taken from five large retail chains in four districts of Istanbul were analyzed in an independent laboratory. Striking results were obtained in the examination of a total of 20 lemon samples taken from chain markets in Sultanbeyli, Sancaktepe, Ataşehir and Kadıköy in September.
144 PESTICIDES DETECTED IN 20 LEMONS
According to the laboratory results announced by Greenpeace, a total of 144 pesticides were detected in 20 lemon samples. This figure means an average of 7.2 different pesticides per sample. It was stated that more than one pesticide active ingredient was present in all of the analyzed products. Greenpeace considers this situation within the scope of the “cocktail effect” debate. In the statement regarding the results on a market basis, it was claimed that the average number of pesticides in samples taken from some chains was higher than others. According to the data shared by Greenpeace, it was claimed that an average of more than 8 different pesticides were detected in some samples, and the highest finding was up to 10 different pesticide active ingredients in two separate lemon samples.
LEGAL LIMIT EXCEEDED IN 4 EXAMPLES
The most striking result of the research was the examples where maximum residue limits were exceeded. According to the results shared by Greenpeace, pesticide levels exceeding the legal residue limit were detected in 4 of the 20 lemons examined. According to the results shared by Greenpeace, violations for more than one pesticide were detected in some of the four samples that were found to exceed the limit. It was announced that no findings exceeding the legal maximum residue limit were found in the samples taken from some markets. It was emphasized that since the study was limited to only 20 samples, the results could not be generalized to all products in the markets or to lemons throughout Türkiye.
THE DISCUSSION DOESN’T END
Another dimension of the pesticide debate is the presence of more than one active ingredient in the same product. Although it is considered legal for a pesticide to be below the legal limit on its own, Greenpeace argues that the combination of many different active ingredients in the same product should be evaluated separately. For this reason, within the scope of the campaign, markets are requested to allow a maximum of three different pesticide active ingredients in a product, even if they are individually below the legal limit. Greenpeace also wants retail chains to set their own sourcing standards, going beyond legal maximum residue limits, and make product acceptance limits 20 percent stricter than current legal limits.
“INVOICE SHOULD NOT BE ISSUE TO THE FARMER”
Greenpeace also emphasizes that the cost of reducing pesticide use should not be borne by the producer. The organization wants to provide agricultural engineer support, incentives, bonuses and fair contracts to farmers; It demands full transparency from grocery stores, multiple pesticide restrictions and stricter residue standards.
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ACCUMULATES IN FAT CELLS
On the other hand, Internal Medicine Specialist Dr. Ayça Kaya pointed out that pesticides can accumulate in the body, especially in fatty tissue. Stating that some banned agricultural chemicals can still be used, Kaya said that long-term exposure may pose a risk, especially for reproductive health. Kaya also stated that some additives can have negative effects on the immune and digestive systems, and that the relationship of some colorants and sweeteners with attention problems and different neurological effects in children has been investigated.
