A consumer advocacy organization reports lab testing of Driscoll’s strawberries that detected several pesticides, including eight fluorinated compounds associated with PFAS, or "forever chemicals".
The testing was commissioned by Mamavation and reviewed by scientists from Haereticus Environmental Laboratory. Mamavation purchased two packages of Driscoll's strawberries -- one conventional and one organic. The strawberries were sent to an EPA-certified laboratory for pesticide screening.
According to the reported lab results, the organic strawberries tested clean, but the conventional strawberries contained residues of 12 pesticides. Mamavation states that 8 of these were fluorinated pesticides it classifies as PFAS-related or "forever pesticides." They report detection of:
- Flonicamid
- Fludioxonil
- Flupyradifurone
- Fluxapyroxad
- Indoxacarb
- Novaluron
- Tetraconazole
- TFNG
- Cyprodinil
- Pyrimethanil
- Quinoxyfen
- Tetrahydrophthalimide
Why Should You Worry About PFAS?
Potential health concerns associated with PFAS exposure include increased risk of certain cancers, elevated cholesterol and blood pressure levels, liver dysfunction, hormone disruption, reproductive problems, developmental effects, and/or reduced immune response.
Major health agencies, including the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the World Health Organization, recognize PFAS as an environmental and public health concern.
Agricultural Concerns, Too
Fluorinated pesticides can persist in the environment and may contribute to long-term PFAS contamination. Public health advocates and farmworker groups have expressed concerns about the use of agricultural chemicals, including soil fumigants such as chloropicrin, near homes and schools. These concerns relate to potential environmental impacts and occupational exposure risks for farmworkers and nearby communities -- in addition to direct food safety risks for consumers.
Protecting Your Health
Choose only organic strawberries to reduce your pesticide exposure. We know PFAS-containing pesticides are widely used in conventional agriculture, regardless of brand. As a broader solution, California legislation (AB 1603) aims at restricting PFAS in pesticides and there are hopes that more states will follow suit.
For personalized guidance or nutrition counseling, consider scheduling a phone consultation with Rose Boghos, Intuitive Lifestyle Practitioner, Whole Health Educator, and Reiki Master Teacher.
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What to Remember |
Resources:
Effects of Early-life PFAS Exposure on Child Neurodevelopment: A Review of the Evidence and Research gaps
Mamavation Finds PFAS-Laden Pesticides in Driscoll’s Strawberries
Study Links Forever Chemicals To High Blood Pressure in Women
“Strawberries are full of love & happiness.” ― |