High Levels of Pesticide Residue Found in Thai Produce
A recent forum in Thailand has brought to light concerns regarding the safety of fresh produce available to consumers. The forum, organized by the Thailand Consumers Council (TCC), centered around the alarming prevalence of pesticide residue exceeding safety standards in fruits and vegetables sold in department stores and fresh markets across the country.
Prokchol Usap of the TCC revealed findings from a study where samples were collected from various retail locations in 12 provinces and analyzed by an ISO 17025 certified laboratory. The tests focused on detecting 419 different pesticide residues. The results indicated that a staggering 75% of the samples contained residue levels exceeding established safety thresholds, with a total of 112 distinct types of pesticides identified.
Supermarkets Not Necessarily Safer
Contrary to consumer expectations, the study also highlighted a disturbing trend: produce sold in supermarkets does not necessarily have lower pesticide residue levels compared to those found in traditional wholesale markets. In fact, recent data suggests that pesticide residue levels in supermarkets may even be higher. The detected substances included a variety of pesticides, fungicides, and herbicides.
Health Risks Associated with Pesticide Exposure
The presence of these chemicals poses a range of potential health risks to consumers. Prokchol Usap explained that the hazardous effects of these substances can vary. Acute effects primarily impact the nervous system, while chronic exposure can lead to the accumulation of carcinogenic and mutagenic compounds. Some specific pesticides, such as carbendazim commonly found in oranges, have been linked to sperm damage and infertility. Furthermore, certain substances can disrupt the hormonal and endocrine systems, potentially leading to a variety of health problems.
It's important to note that even low-dose, repeated exposure to certain chemicals, particularly those that disrupt the hormonal system, can cause health issues, according to current research. This highlights the need for stricter monitoring and regulation of pesticide use in agriculture.
Concerns About Inspection Procedures
Boonyuen Siritham, president of the TCC, shared a personal experience that raised concerns about the effectiveness of existing fruit and vegetable inspection procedures. During a visit to an inspection station in northern Thailand, she observed that imported produce was being sold before the results of random sample tests were available. This meant that potentially hazardous products could be reaching consumers before any safety assessment was completed. Boonyuen argued that produce should not be sold until inspection results confirm its safety, and that any products exceeding safety standards should be returned to their country of origin.
Government Response and Current FDA Policies
Naruemol Chatsanga of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) addressed Boonyuen’s concerns by stating that the experience was based on outdated procedures. The FDA currently operates under a policy referred to as "one dan [inspection station], one day and one lab," which aims to expedite the testing process. According to Naruemol, the FDA now works with ISO 17025 certified laboratories, allowing for results to be released within 24 hours due to the perishable nature of imported fruits and vegetables. If hazardous toxins exceeding safety standards are detected, the FDA notifies the country of origin, and the decision to return or destroy the products depends on existing agreements.
The FDA also conducts random inspections of fruits and vegetables, similar to the TCC's efforts. Naruemol emphasized that the presence of toxic residues exceeding standards violates existing regulations, and that the FDA will notify consumers through its website and take legal action against offenders.
The Need for Improved Communication and Transparency
Recognizing that the FDA's website may not be widely accessed, the TCC is developing a mobile application to improve communication and transparency regarding food safety information. This app will build upon the existing ThaiRasfs (Thailand Rapid Alert System for Food Safety) website and aims to connect various organizations involved in food inspections to ensure a more comprehensive and responsive food safety system.
The planned app will encompass all types of food, both fresh and processed, and will report any identified risks. It will also facilitate two-way communication, allowing consumers to report incidents or ask questions. The TCC envisions a system where consumers can photograph products and report their location, enabling transparent investigations. The TCC intends to eventually transfer the app development to a government agency.
Streamlining the Inspection Process
The app is expected to significantly reduce documentation and speed up the food inspection process. The goal is to ensure that inspection results are available within 24 hours and that relevant organizations, such as the FDA, the Department of Agriculture, and department stores, are immediately connected. This would enable prompt action, such as product recalls or other measures by the FDA, along with timely advice to consumers.
Lessons from the European Union
Prokchol highlighted the effectiveness of the European Union's food safety system as a model. In the EU, random inspections are conducted, and any food found to contain toxic substances exceeding safety standards is immediately banned from import. For instance, if coriander from Thailand is found to contain excessive levels of toxins, all 27 EU countries are alerted within 24 hours. Supermarkets are required to remove the affected batch from their shelves, and consumers who have already purchased the product can return it for a refund.
The EU's rigorous inspection process, which tests for over 400 substances in imported fruits and vegetables, has resulted in a significantly lower rate of pesticide residue exceedance (around 3%) compared to Thailand (over 70%). The TCC believes that implementing a similar system of frequent inspections and prompt removal of hazardous products would dramatically improve the safety of fruits and vegetables in Thailand.
Calls for Government Support
Boonyuen Siritham emphasized the need for government policies to support toxin testing in locally consumed food. She pointed out that while the government invests in testing exported food to build international confidence, there is limited funding for testing food intended for domestic consumption. The TCC relies on collaboration with private labs and operates on a limited budget. Boonyuen urged the government to prioritize food testing to ensure the safety of Thai citizens, not just export products. She suggested establishing a collaborative effort with the FDA to inspect food products and develop policies to support comprehensive food testing programs.
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