Pesticides in food reduce the damage to plants that can occur from weeds, rodents, insects and germs. This increases the yield ofFruits, vegetablesand other plants. This article focuses on the substances found on the surface of fruits and vegetables when they are sold as food. Discover a short list of the most common types of pesticides found in modern agriculture and whether their residues affect human health.
Interesting facts about pesticides in food
In the broadest sense, pesticides are chemicals used to control organisms that might invade or damage plants, grocery stores, or homes. Since there are many types of potential pests, people use many antidotes. Some of them are:
- Insecticidesreduce the destruction and contamination of growing and harvested plants by insects and their eggs.
- Herbicides, also known as weed killers, improve crop yields.
- Rodentizideare important for controlling the destruction and contamination of plants by vermin and rodent-borne diseases.
- Fungicidesare particularly important for protecting harvested plants and seeds from fungal rot.
Organic farming uses biopesticides, or naturally occurring chemicals that have evolved in plants. However, there are too many types of them to list here. Several regulatory organizations set safety limits for pesticides in the food supply. These limits are very conservative, limiting pesticides to several times lower than the lowest dose known to cause harm.
Health effects
However, the pesticides in foods and products rarely exceed safety thresholds and usually do not cause harm. Most associated illnesses are the result of accidental overuse or occupational exposure. Both synthetic and organic biopesticides have adverse health effects at higher doses than are typically found in fruits and vegetables. Both synthetic and organic biopesticides have been linked to increased cancer rates at higher concentrations in laboratory animals.
However, studies do not link an increased risk of cancer to the small amounts of pesticides in the products. A review of much research found that the chance of developing cancer due to the amount of pesticides consumed in an average lifetime is less than one in a million. A comprehensive overview of pesticides in food is available from the World Health Organization.
However, the levels of synthetic pesticides and organic biopesticides in products are many times lower than the lowest limits. Additionally, the many health benefits of eating more fruits and vegetables are very clear and consistent across hundreds of studies.
