Above-the-limit pesticide
residue on fruit, vegetables, wine, oil and grains dropped from
5.6% in 1993 to 0.5% in 2012, according to 2012 data released
Friday by the health ministry.
Foods still being found with excessive pesticide residue
levels include chard, celery, tomatoes, oranges, lemons, plums,
apricots, grapes and bananas.
Persimmons, figs, pomegranates, nuts, walnuts, oats and
buckwheat had a clean bill of health, as did wine and olive oil,
according to the ministry.
The ministry said the results are due to increased
vigilance on the part of authorities and increased consciousness
on the part of farmers that pesticides are harmful to public
health and the environment.
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