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Pesticide claims wrong says Food Safety Authority

The New Zealand Food Safety Authority today expressed serious concern at the statements made recently about the presence of cancer-causing pesticides in food.

“The claim that endosulfan, among other pesticides, is a carcinogen is just plain wrong,” said Dr Andrew McKenzie, Executive Director of the New Zealand Food Safety Authority.

“While no-one can be 100% certain about anything, endosulfan has been specifically tested for carcinogenic potential and the World Health Organisation, United Nations Environment Programme and International Labour Organisation categorically state that endosulfan does not show any such potential. Equally any other chemical used in food production is extensively evaluated for safety to humans. Raising concerns of this sort for people, where no cause for them exists, is irresponsible,” said Dr McKenzie.

“It is very difficult to counter the worries this will raise for people, and is particularly upsetting when we know the statement is patently untrue.”

Endosulfan has also been tested for endocrine disruption and the WHO also reports that it shows no such potential.

Statements that the product is ‘banned’ in 23 countries are also questionable. NZFSA is aware that it remains registered in the USA, Canada, Europe and Australia as well as New Zealand and there is an internationally set and accepted maximum residue level for it.

“It is true that not all products are used in all countries – and this is the case with endosulfan. For commercial reasons, a pesticide might not be registered in a country if the pest or crop it targets is not of commercial importance there or it may have its registration withdrawn. For example it may prove over time to be less effective than new pesticides and so lose its market share.

“It is also misleading to baldly state that levels of endosulfan have increased 40 times for young men. The Total Diet Survey shows that this group consumes less than half of one per cent of the acceptable daily intake. The figure in the latest survey is likely to be closer to the actual level while earlier studies are likely to be less accurate. Reasons for this include increased sensitivity of the testing and an increase in the number of samples. In addition, seasonal variations could have an influence – if a pest was attacking crops at the time samples were taken, then it would be expected that farmers would be using a pesticide while in earlier surveys the pest may not have been present. To draw conclusions from a single result is a misuse of the information.

“NZFSA is totally committed to protecting New Zealand consumers. New Zealand also relies on exports of food for nearly 50% of its income. More than almost any other country, New Zealand must ensure that our food safety programmes are beyond reproach. NZFSA’s role is to ensure that, as well as protecting our consumers, the assurances we give to our trading partner governments are based on the very best food standards possible.”

The final report on the New Zealand total diet survey shows that New Zealand has a food status to rival any in the world.

“The report is available on our website www.nzfsa.govt.nz or copies can be ordered from 0800 693 721. Reading this will reassure consumers that the extensive and comprehensive monitoring and control programmes that New Zealand has in place to protect their interests are working.”

ENDS

Internationally-accepted scientific information on endosulfan and other pesticides is available at www.inchem.org

The URL for endosulfan is: www.inchem.org/documents/pims/chemical/pim576.htm

For information about agricultural compound residues in food see: www.nzfsa.govt.nz/consumers/food-safety-topics/chemicals-in-food/residues-in-food/index.htm

For further information contact Gary Bowering, Manager (Communications), 027-432 550.

For comment contact Andrew McKenzie (Executive Director), 021-430 187

or

Sandra Daly, Director (Communications & Infrastructure), 021-735 696.