One third of cucumbers and two thirds of bananas in Italy are contaminated with PFAS pesticides. According to our member ISDE Italy, Italian fruits and vegetables are more and more contaminated with PFAS pesticides. Citizens are increasingly exposed to PFAS pesticide cocktails through their food in Italy and Europe.
Our study “Toxic Harvest: The Rise of Forever Pesticides in Fruits and Vegetables in Europe” showed that PFAS have been deliberately introduced by industry into pesticide products with the addition of some fluorine atoms to increase their efficacy, or result as degradation by-products. Farmers are generally unaware that they are spraying ‘forever pesticides’ on their crops. It is not mentioned on the label.
In Europe, there is an increasing exposure of consumers to PFAS pesticides. It showed that the percentage of fruit and vegetables containing PFAS pesticide residues in the EU almost tripled over the decade 2011-2021, with a growth rate of 220% for fruit and 247% for vegetables.
However, the study did not include Italian figures until now.
2011-2021: Evolution of PFAS contamination in fruit and vegetables in Italy
In Italy, between 2011 and 2021, a total of 46,455 fruit and vegetable samples were assessed for levels of pesticide contamination. During this period, an average of 8.2% of the 28,138 fruit samples were contaminated with residues of at least one PFAS pesticide. The maximum number of PFAS pesticides detected in a single fruit sample was three, while a total of 18 different PFAS pesticides were detected in all fruit samples.
For vegetables, the contamination rate was lower, with 3.2% of the 18,317 samples containing residues of at least one PFAS pesticide. The maximum number of different PFAS detected in a single vegetable sample was two, indicating a slightly lower diversity of PFAS contamination than in fruit, while a total of 20 different PFAS pesticides were detected in all samples.
Considering fruits and vegetables together, 23 of the 47 PFAS pesticides selected were detected in all samples. This results in an aggregate contamination rate of 6.2%.
PFAS Contamination of Fruit Between 2011 and 2021
The percentage of fruit samples contaminated with PFAS pesticide residues increased from 1.9% in 2011 to 10.7% in 2021. According to the trend line, which averages the fluctuations over different years, the average percentage of fruit samples containing PFAS pesticide residues increased by 292% over the ten years.
Average PFAS contamination in popular fruit sampled in Italy in the period 2011-2021
PFAS Contamination of Vegetables Between 2011 and 2021
The percentage of plant samples contaminated with PFAS pesticide residues increased from 0.7% in 2011 to 5.2% in 2021. According to the trend line, which averages the fluctuations over different years, the average percentage of fruit samples containing PFAS pesticide residues increased by 536% over the ten years.
Average PFAS contamination in popular vegetables sampled in Italy in the period 2011-2021
PFAS Contamination of Italian Fruit in 2021
PFAS pesticide residues were detected in 17% of all fruit samples. Bananas, pears and peaches were the most frequently contaminated Italian fruit.
The most contaminated fruit grown in Italy in 2021
PFAS Contamination of Fruit Imported into Italy in 2021
PFAS pesticide residues were detected in 22% of all fruit samples. Bananas, grapefruits, and oranges were the most frequently contaminated imported fruits.
The most contaminated fruit imported into Italy in 2021
PFAS Contamination of Italian Vegetables in 2021
PFAS pesticide residues were detected in 7% of all vegetable samples grown in Italy. Cucumbers, celery and peppers were the most frequently contaminated Italian vegetables.
The most contaminated vegetables grown in Italy in 2021
PFAS Contamination of Vegetables Imported into Italy in 2021
PFAS pesticide residues were detected in 13% of all vegetable samples imported into Italy. Peppers, lettuces and beans (with pods) were the most frequently contaminated vegetables.
The most contaminated vegetables imported into Italy in 2021
The 10 Most Detected PFAS in Italian Fruits and Vegetables in 2021
In the 5,130 samples of Italian fruit and vegetables collected in the EU Member States, the three most frequently detected PFAS-active substances were fluopyram, triflumuron and lambda cyhalothrin.
Conclusion
The findings show an increasing exposure of European consumers through everyday food products. The continued accumulation of PFAS in the food chain and the formation of chemical cocktails pose chronic risks to human health. There is an urgent need to ban PFAS pesticides to curb exposure to PFAS through food and protect the health of citizens, especially the most vulnerable groups, such as pregnant women, infants and children.
We urge European and national policymakers to take immediate action to protect Europeans and the environment from the harmful effects of PFAS contamination.
