A recent investigation by the Environmental Working Group (EWG) on the US Department of Agriculture data found that nearly 60% of kale samples tested were contaminated with a likely carcinogenic (cancer-causing) pesticide (EWG, 2022).
The toxic pesticide, known as DCPA or Dacthal, was classified by the US Environmental Protection Agency as a possible carcinogen in 1995, but only recalled by its manufacturer 10 years later in 2005 (but only on some crops), banned in the European Union in 2009, is STILL being used in the US on crops such as kale, broccoli, sweet potatoes, eggplant and turnips. Other leafy greens in the US were also found to be contaminated with the same chemical. And this was not the only chemical used on these plant crops.
Kale production has increased by 56% in recent years due to more interest in their nutritional value.
Dacthal is also being used in Australia for brassica vegetables (broccoli, cauliflower, kale, cabbage, spinach etc), legumes, alliums (onions, garlic, etc), potatoes, carrots and many other crop types (NuFarm, 2022).
This information stresses the importance of knowing what you are eating, and what your foods are exposed to, such as pesticides, herbicides, and other chemicals. Just because someone is natural, green, or plant-based, doesn't mean it's going to be good for you. This is why certified organic foods or home grown vegetables can be healthier and safer for you to eat.
Be healthy.
References:
Environmental Working Group (EWG). (2022). More than half of kale samples tainted by possibly cancer-causing pesticide. Retrieved 5th June 2022 from https://www.ewg.org/foodnews/kale.php
NuFarm. (2022). Dactal 900WG. Retrieved 5th June 2022 from https://nufarm.com/au/product/dacthal-900wg/
The toxic pesticide, known as DCPA or Dacthal, was classified by the US Environmental Protection Agency as a possible carcinogen in 1995, but only recalled by its manufacturer 10 years later in 2005 (but only on some crops), banned in the European Union in 2009, is STILL being used in the US on crops such as kale, broccoli, sweet potatoes, eggplant and turnips. Other leafy greens in the US were also found to be contaminated with the same chemical. And this was not the only chemical used on these plant crops.
Kale production has increased by 56% in recent years due to more interest in their nutritional value.
Dacthal is also being used in Australia for brassica vegetables (broccoli, cauliflower, kale, cabbage, spinach etc), legumes, alliums (onions, garlic, etc), potatoes, carrots and many other crop types (NuFarm, 2022).
This information stresses the importance of knowing what you are eating, and what your foods are exposed to, such as pesticides, herbicides, and other chemicals. Just because someone is natural, green, or plant-based, doesn't mean it's going to be good for you. This is why certified organic foods or home grown vegetables can be healthier and safer for you to eat.
Be healthy.
References:
Environmental Working Group (EWG). (2022). More than half of kale samples tainted by possibly cancer-causing pesticide. Retrieved 5th June 2022 from https://www.ewg.org/foodnews/kale.php
NuFarm. (2022). Dactal 900WG. Retrieved 5th June 2022 from https://nufarm.com/au/product/dacthal-900wg/
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