Celery tops pesticide residue list

Bread, dairy products and apples are among the top 12 foods in New Zealand most likely to contain pesticide residues.

Safe Food Campaign researcher Alison White largely looked at data complied by the New Zealand Food Safety Authority for a study she plans to present in Wellington tomorrow night.

The top 12 food products to contain pesticide residues were:

1. Celery.

2. Peaches.

3. Apricots.

4. Butter/cream/cheese.

5. Wheat, including bread.

6. Apples.

7. Plums.

8. Mandarins.

9. Raspberries.

10. Oranges.

11. Strawberries.

12. Grapes/raisins/sultanas.

These were closely followed by cucumbers, nectarines, lettuce, tomatoes, wine and pears.

Ms White ranked the food according to the percentage of samples with pesticide residues and the number of pesticides detected.

"The Food Safety Authority attempts to reassure us that because the pesticides are below a certain level, then they assume it to be safe," she said. "What we do know is that there are various serious long-term effects associated with particular pesticides that are found in our food, including endocrine or hormonal disruption, cancer, immune system suppression, nervous system damage, genetic damage and birth defects."

Washing and peeling could reduce some residues, but she advised anyone with a compromised immune system, pregnant women and young children to eat organic foods.

- NZPA