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.

• School Fruit scheme disappoints
  
• This Week's News
  

.