Food health and safety highlighted by school fruit tests

Categories: Food Health and Safety |


Food health and safety highlighted by school fruit tests Food health and safety has hit the headlines after the publication of the Pesticide Residues Committee's (PRC) findings from its studies of fruit and vegetables served in schools.

The body looked at food distributed as part of the Department of Health's School Fruit and Vegetable Scheme and concluded that the level of residual pesticides present was acceptable and within European Union guidelines.

With specific results relating to bananas, carrots, pears, apples and soft citrus fruits, the PRC revealed that the standard of produce fell within acceptable limits.

PRC chairman Dr Ian Brown explained that the results prove that it is safe to eat the food supplied by schools, adding that he understands that some people may have concerns over the pesticide content of their food.

"But as a doctor I cannot over-emphasise the importance of continuing to eat at least five portions of fruit and vegetables a day," he said.

Dr Brown revealed that evidence shows the benefits of eating such food far outweigh the concerns about pesticide residues.

Meanwhile the PRC also recently released its second quarterly report of 2009, showing that most tested produce was residue-free, while those with some pesticides remaining did not have a high enough level to cause concern.ADNFCR-1200-ID-19516869-ADNFCR

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