Overview
- An NGO coalition published laboratory tests on Monday showing traces of multiple neonicotinoids, including acetamiprid, in both classic and vegan Nutella and in ten honey samples.
- The Nutella samples contained eight neonicotinoids at about 480 ng/kg and 850 ng/kg respectively while tested honeys ranged from single-digit ng/kg in French organic samples to several thousand ng/kg in mixed-origin samples.
- Measured concentrations of acetamiprid in the honeys are far below the EU maximum residue limit for honey of 0.3 mg/kg, but the NGO says any systemic presence warrants action and asks manufacturers to change production processes.
- The report lands as senators prepare to debate a Duplomb-led amendment that would reauthorize acetamiprid and flupyradifurone and the NGO and beekeeping groups are urging parliamentarians to reject the change.
- France banned most neonicotinoids in 2018 and the EU still allows acetamiprid; scientific studies and cancer advocates have raised health and biodiversity concerns while industry points to regulatory compliance and low detected levels.