Zucchinis and aubergines largely without pesticide residues

Ten samples of aubergines and ten samples of zucchinis have been tested for residues at the State Office for Agriculture, Food Safety and Fisheries (LALLF) in Rostock. They mainly originated from Germany, the Netherlands and Spain. The vegetable samples taken from commercial enterprises were analyzed, looking at general appearance, smell and taste. Here, there were no abnormalities.

After reprocessing the samples, they were officially analyzed for 413 active ingredients of pesticides (PPPs). Only two samples of aubergine (Spain) and two samples of zucchini (Germany) contained any PPP residues. In terms of quantity, these were far below the legally permitted maximum quantities. Two samples contained only one, the other two contained two different residues. In total, four different substances were detected. Three of them were insecticides, the other a fungicide.

Director-General Feldhusen estimates: "The general trend towards less use of PPPs on fruit and vegetables is confirmed here. According to the annual report of the Federal Office for Consumer Protection and Food Safety in 2016, more than half of zucchinis and aubergines showed residues. So our current samples were much less contaminated."

Consumers can safely include zucchini and aubergines in their diet. "Both vegetables are recommended throughout the year for the kitchen. They are seen as a low-caloric ‘splash of color’," said Feldhusen.

Source: lallf.de