How those pesticides persist even when you wash your fruit and veg

By Sean Poulter

PUBLISHED: 00:06 GMT, 10 March 2012 | UPDATED: 00:06 GMT, 10 March 2012

Washing fruit and vegetables does not remove chemical pesticide residues, tests commissioned by Government food watchdogs show.

One chemical, which has links to cancer, birth defects and infertility, remained on the skin of apples despite the basic kitchen practice. Others remained both on the outside of potatoes and within the flesh, even after cooking.

The findings suggest that the most effective way to minimise the chemicals found on fruit and vegetables is to peel them.

The Food Standards Agency insists that residues on fresh produce in the UK are so low that there is no need to wash them.

However, many people, particularly parents, take this step in what is now clearly the mistaken belief that it will offer added protection. At the same time, green campaigners insist there is a ‘cocktail effect’ of food crop chemicals on human health, even at low levels.

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