School Fruits Pesticide Claim
Fruit and veg in schools meets only the lowest of standards
Fruit and vegetables given to children under the School Fruit and Vegetable scheme has higher levels of pesticide than the produce found in supermarkets. A report published by the government’s Pesticides Residue Committee showed that chemical residues were found in 84% of fresh produce found in schools, compared to just 57% of produce bought in shops.
The disparity between school and shop food is blamed on lower standards required by food under the scheme. A spokesperson for the Soil Assocation said it was ‘wrong for a scheme that provides fruit and vegetables to the most vulnerable in society to source lower quality fruit and vegetables, apparently containing a higher proportion of pesticides and pesticide cocktails, than the fruit and vegetables available in shops.’
The Department of Health said that pesticide levels in school food was being monitored.
