Banned pesticide found in pears

01 July 1999

Banned pesticide found in pears

A RANGE of pesticide residues, including the banned chlormequat, have been found in pears sold by supermarkets, according to a government report.

Junior agriculture minister Jeff Rooker said there was no health risk but the stores – Marks & Spencer, Safeway and Tesco – could be prosecuted for the lapses.

Use of chlormequat is banned in the UK because the manufacturer failed to supply information to the regulator, but it is allowed in other European Union countries.

The pesticide was detected by inspectors in pears grown in Italy, South Africa and Spain.

The checks have resulted in a number of consignments of Dutch and Belgian pears being rejected by UK retailers.

• The Independent 01/07/99 page 9