Nearly two-thirds of bread products tested contained pesticides, report claims

A report released today by PAN UK in conjunction with the Organic. Naturally Different campaign, reveals that nearly two-thirds (61.5%) of bread products tested by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) between 2000 and 2013, were contaminated with pesticides residues.

The report investigates the government’s own figures revealing the presence of pesticide residues in the everyday staple, bread, and in particular the potentially dangerous effect that ingesting multiple chemicals and pesticide residues can have on consumers.

The report aims to enable consumers to make an informed decision about the food they buy.

The Pesticides in Your Daily Bread report has analysed the data on pesticides residues published by the Defra Expert Committee on Pesticide Residues in Food (PRIF) and looks at residues of single and multiple pesticides found in bread.

The report examines the most frequently found pesticide residues which are glyphosate and chlormequat, and some of the possible harmful effects they have on consumers’ health and the environment.

Finally the report details what consumers can do to make informed choices when doing their weekly shopping and what governments and retailers should do to address this issue.

Key PAN UK findings:

- Pesticide residues in bread have more than doubled from 28% in 2001 to 63% in 2013

- The number of samples testing positive for multiple residues more than doubled in the last seven years

- Glyphosate is the residue most often found in bread, a herbicide that is increasingly linked to a variety of health issues

- Eating organic bread significantly reduces consumers exposure to pesticide residues

- The Government and industry must take urgent action to reduce pesticide residues in bread

Nick Mole, from PAN UK, said: "The presence of pesticide residues in our food and our subsequent ingestion of them is not something that anybody should welcome.

"We are in effect being poisoned against our will with the full knowledge of the growers, retailers and regulatory bodies that provide our food or are tasked with making sure it is safe."

"Wow that sounds nasty, hope you've recovered. I had heard that about some of them, I would have thought in these days of elf and safety that the blades would only close whilst the trigger is pressed. "

"I have a pair of the Stihl ones and they are excellent you can cut quite thick stuff with ease and it definitely takes the stress out of your hands,the battery life is good as well, just one word of caution and this was down to my stupidity while I…"

"Currently thinking of getting some myself. The Kebtec ones are well reviewed by various gardeners on YouTube, but then so many of them get sent stuff for free it's hard to believe everything they say. I heard the Stiga ones were pretty good too.…"