Italian growers are busy harvesting and marketing their crops, but according to the Technical and Scientific Committee, there has been another controversy this season over the use of crop protection products. The committee is made up of 30 professionals made up of university professors, technicians and agricultural experts from the two main regions of Italy, Puglia and Sicily.

Are grapes among the fruits with the highest residual content?

Technical and Scientific Committee: “When it comes to retail, grapes must meet high quality standards. In terms of plant protection products, the vast majority of nets require grapes to contain no more than 4 plant protection product residues. The latter are subject to a strict approval procedure dictated by European regulations that set concentration limits in fruits and vegetables based on the toxicological characteristics of the active substances present in plant protection products. ”

The regulatory limits are already safe on their own and are periodically reviewed as a result of changes in the state of scientific evidence regarding toxicity, the environment and other factors affecting residues. As a result, many large retailers require their growers to supply grapes with active ingredient residues below 30% of the legal limits. Thus, the limited amount of residues (max. 4) and the fact that they are more than a third below the legal limits make the grape supply chain extremely safe and not inferior to other fruit and vegetable products.

How can we refute these claims and reassure consumers?

Since distribution chains impose restrictions on active substances, table grape growers are interested in delivering grapes to customers far below the already stringent restrictions as this affects market penetration. This is why some suppliers strive to produce zero stocks to meet the needs of all of their customers. In addition, the cultivation of grapes has changed a lot over the past fifteen to twenty years. Vineyards make extensive use of vineyard shelters that reduce phytosanitary crop problems and hence the need for phytosanitary treatments.

Some people claim that these chemicals remain on the grapes even after they have been rinsed. Is it really?

Analyzes, which are carried out to determine the residues of active substances present in grapes, are performed on unwashed bunches in specialized laboratories and using high-tech devices. If the test results are already satisfying customers, rinsing can only improve the situation. In any case, it is recommended to rinse the grapes, like other foods, before eating.