The fruit juices and smoothies that report the wording “100% fruit” are often purchased by consumers in the belief that it is healthy products. An investigation conducted by the magazine “Il Salvagente”, however, questioned this perception. The analysis examined 12 products available in Italian supermarkets and discount stores, and the results raise important questions about the quality of these foods.
The tests conducted brought to light the presence of pesticides residues in different samples analyzed. In some cases, the concentrations exceeded the limits of technical quantification established by the workshops. The product that obtained the most negative assessment was the Macé whisk and banana apple smoothie, in which 13 different phytosanitary substances were identified. Of these, three exceeded the detection limit. The product also contained 2 mycotoxins.
Different results also emerged for the Puertosol of Eurospin apple taste and red fruits. The analyzes have identified residues of 4 pesticides and 3 mycotoxins in this product.
Spirotetramat: an insecticide forbidden but still present
Particular attention deserves the detection of the spirotetramat in some products. This substance, an insecticide that experts suspect can interfere with the fertility and development of the fetus, has been banned in the European Union since 30 June 2024.
The samples analyzed had been produced before that date, and its presence was found in the innocent mango, the fruit of the passion and apples, as well as in the Orsero mix of coconut and pineapple fruit.
The most frequent pesticides beyond the quantification threshold
The laboratory has set a quantification limit (LOQ) equal to 0.005 mg/kg. Several active ingredients have been detected beyond this threshold in various products:
The regulatory vacuum on fruit mixes
The lifeguard experts underline a really important aspect: the concentrations of found phytopharmacies are very low. The main problem lies in the absence of specific regulatory limits for the individual principles active in the products that combine different types of fruit, a legislative gap that increases the difficulties of consumers in being able to evaluate the safety of certain products.
The issue of mycotoxins
Patulin is the only mycotoxin regulated in fruit juices, with a maximum limit of 50 mcg/kg for products intended for adults and children over 3 years. The tests detected only minimal traces of patulin, under the quantification limit, in the Macé and Puertosol Eurospin smoothies. No other product has shown the presence of this substance. For other refined mycotoxins there are currently no defined legal limits.
The evaluation methodology and the products with the worst scores
The evaluation system has attributed different weights to the various parameters: the presence of pesticides engraved 50% on the final judgment, mycotoxins for 30% and the sugar content for 20%. The number of pesticides detected, although present only in traces, and the presence of mycotoxins had the greatest impact on the overall score. The products containing Spirotetramat have undergone an additional penalty.
The ranking of products with the lowest evaluations includes:
It should be noted that other products have obtained excellent evaluations in the test.
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