German Foods Show Low Pesticide Levels, Imports Pose Greater Risk

A 2023 analysis reveals that pesticide residues in German food rarely exceed safety limits, with imported goods from non-EU countries showing higher contamination rates.

• Over 22,000 food samples in Germany were tested in 2023 for pesticide residues, covering more than 1,000 substances.
• Only 1% of German-produced foods exceeded legal pesticide limits, compared to 1.3% for other EU imports and 8.5% for non-EU imports.
• Fruits like mangos and cherries, as well as products like tea, rice, and peanuts, showed the highest rates of contamination among tested items.
• Organic foods contained significantly fewer pesticide residues, with nearly 72% of organic samples showing no detectable levels compared to 36% for conventional products.
• The presence of multiple pesticide residues was common in some foods, particularly in cherries, mandarins, and berries, though levels below legal limits are deemed safe for consumption.

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