Do Spanish fruits and vegetables really contain more pesticides?

Fruits

Vegetables

Spain

Regulation & Compliances

Market & Price Trends

Published Nov 26, 2023

Tridge summary

Many French people are wary of Spanish agricultural products due to concerns over pesticide use. A study by the magazine Que Choisir found that contamination by potentially dangerous substances is less frequent in locally produced fruits and vegetables compared to those from abroad. However, it is important to note that the situation is more nuanced, as factors such as climate and agricultural policies also play a role in pesticide usage. Consumers are advised to choose organic, local, and seasonal products as a precautionary measure.

Disclaimer: The above summary was generated by a state-of-the-art LLM model and is intended for informational purposes only. It is recommended that readers refer to the original article for more context.

Original content

“I no longer buy any products that come from Spain and I am very careful with French products because we also use pesticides,” notes Karole, 73, who favors fruits and vegetables from local producers or from her “square of garden” in the Côtes d’Armor. Like her, many French people remain wary of Spanish products accused of being sprayed with pesticides. In question, videos and photos which regularly circulate on social networks, showing phytosanitary products dumped on fields as far as the eye can see. Should we always be wary of Spanish productions? Which fruits and vegetables are most at risk? And what are the alternatives? Several experts reveal their observations and advice to Le Figaro. Although it is difficult to obtain precise data on pesticide contamination, the magazine Que Choisir studied over several months more than 4,000 samples of 18 species of fruits and vegetables, produced in France, Europe and abroad. The conclusion, published in issue 629 of November, is clear: ...

Source: Lefigaro