Producers are being attacked without reason – Hungarian apples are healthy and safe

(Photo: Pixabay)

During apple cultivation – due to the large number of significant pathogens and pests – plant protection treatments are necessary, but these are part of the integrated plant protection strategy. In addition to the knowledge of the producers, the process is also supported and controlled by the joint work of plant protection consultants and managers. It is important to note that the use of pesticides is subject to strict EU regulations: their distribution, purchase and use (e.g.: time and frequency of treatment, minimum and maximum dose, food-health withdrawal period (etc.) are also limited. Moreover, these criteria are the strictest in our country within the EU. In addition, individual store chains impose additional regulations and expectations on suppliers. For all these reasons, farmers pay extremely close attention to compliance with the regulations. It should not be forgotten that the use of pesticides is also influenced by various subsidies.

In our country, many plantations participate in the Agri-Environmental Management Program (AKG), which limits the range of pesticides that can be used

The National Chamber of Agriculture considers it unacceptable that the recently published study (Pesticide cocktails, PFAS and neurotoxins in most European apples) presents Hungarian apple production in a negative light in such a way that the methodology of the study is not suitable for drawing general conclusions. This causes damage to the sector that could easily have irreversible consequences for consumer confidence. The study only examined the LOQ level, which means the lowest concentration of active ingredient in the sample that can be determined with acceptable accuracy and precision. The study also acknowledges that the measured values ​​did not reach the so-called MRL level in any case, i.e. the maximum permissible concentration, which still does not pose a danger to consumers. What is very important – and unfortunately this has received less attention – is that 58 out of the 59 samples tested fully complied with the food hygiene regulations. In only one sample, a single active ingredient exceeded the permitted level – to a small extent – which confirms that both European and Hungarian apples can be consumed safely.

The National Chamber of Agriculture therefore encourages consumers to continue to choose Hungarian goods with confidence

Trust Hungarian producers, domestic fruits – including apples of course – safe, healthy and of excellent quality. This is also guaranteed by the National Food Chain Safety Authority. According to the authority’s latest published report, all apples tested in the past three years met the requirements, and the authority’s experts did not find any pesticide residues above the limit value.

NAK