Shoppers in the dark on chemicals in fruit

The Greens are calling on the New South Wales Government to reinstate independent testing of chemical residues in fruit and vegetables because 2 to 3 per cent have higher levels than recommended.

The Government scrapped its independent testing of fruit and vegetables in 2005 and handed over the responsibility to an industry body that has no obligation to pass on the test results.

Greens MP John Kaye says consumers have the right to know what they are buying.

"Long-term health consequences of ongoing exposure to these chemicals is simply too great to be left to the ideology of self regulation," he said.

"In NSW, there's no independent testing, there's no public reporting. In at least three other states - Victoria, Queensland and South Australia - there's an independent testing system."

Christopher Zinn, from consumer advocacy group Choice, says there needs to be more transparency to give consumers better choices.

"While there is an industry testing scheme, there is not a thorough independent scheme and that's what's important," he said.

"We have that in the UK, we have it with the Food and Drug Administration in the USA. We do not have it here and we deserve it."

But NSW Food Authority chief scientist Lisa Szabo says the state's testing regime is rigorous.

She says the maximum levels for chemical residue are very conservative and do not pose a health risk.

"Even though there has been 2 to 3 per cent of products that have exceeded an MRL [maximum residue level], an MRL is not a safety measure," she said.

"These levels are set well away from any reference health level that would cause us concern.

"It is a measure of good agricultural practice and is set well away from a reference health standard."

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Fri 3rd July 2009 - 09:33am