Overview
- Foodwatch, in results released Tuesday, reported residues of EU‑banned pesticides in 43 of 64 foods bought in Germany, Austria, France, and the Netherlands.
- Every tested sample of paprika, chili, cumin, and green tea contained such residues, based on accredited lab screening for 736 pesticides.
- Two cumin products showed the herbicide Flamprop at about 165 times and 217 times the legal limit, and Germany’s risk agency confirmed the breaches make those batches not marketable while judging acute risk unlikely due to tiny serving sizes.
- Foodwatch urged recalls of Fuchs Kreuzkümmel, Lidl’s Kania Kreuzkümmel, and Rewe Chili Mix, as Fuchs questioned the plausibility of the results and Lidl cited prior tests without Flamprop but said it will investigate; Rewe said it will re-test the batch.
- The findings feed a wider fight over import standards, with critics warning a 2025 European Commission plan called the Food and Feed Safety Simplification Omnibus could weaken protections and let more contaminated goods into the single market.