A report has revealed that two out of every three fruit and vegetable samples in Ireland, tested by the Department of Agriculture, contain pesticide residues and one in 40 exceeds maximum permissible limits.
The proportion of samples with excessive pesticide limits doubled between 2012 and 2014, the report by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) says.
Up to 12 different pesticides were found on some samples, including table grapes from India, pears from Portugal and strawberries from Belgium.
The long list of pesticides identified includes glyphosate, a weedkiller which is the subject of conflicting reports over cancer risks.
Details of almost 1,500 samples tested by Irish officials in 2014 appear in the latest EFSA annual report on pesticide residues.
The report concludes that the probability of European citizens being exposed to excessive levels of pesticide residue, leading to negative health outcomes, is low. However, for a limited number of samples, a possible short-term consumer health risk cannot be completely ruled out.
Over 65 per cent of Irish fruit and vegetable samples were found to have pesticide residues and 2.6 per cent had excessive levels. The latter figure compared to 1.2 per cent in 2012 and 3.3 per cent in 2011.
Of the 21 samples with excessive levels (from 803 tests), three were from Ireland, two from other EU countries and 16 from outside the EU.
The most commonly detected pesticide was Imazalil, found in 17 per cent of samples. Imazalil is used to protect oranges and lemons from mould.
Glyphosate, commonly sold under the Round-Up brand, was found in 11 per cent of samples.
Three breaches were detected among domestic products, involving cabbage, kale and mushroom.
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