We analysed 59 samples of apples for pesticide residues in 13 European countries. The results highlight the nearly systematic contamination of conventional apples with cocktails of pesticides (85%). While the law foresees it, the EU still does not evaluate the toxicity of exposure to cocktails of pesticides. The results of the survey show that only 7% of tested conventional apples did not contain residues. Two-thirds (64%) of apples contained at least one PFAS pesticide, while one-third (36%) contained neurotoxic pesticides. Remarkably: if the apples were sold as processed baby food, they would not be allowed.
At a time when the European Commission proposes an Omnibus legislation [1] to reduce the level of protection of citizens' health and the environment, PAN Europe and 13 partner organisations [2] published a survey today covering 12 EU countries and Switzerland. It exposes the nearly systematic contamination of European conventional apples with pesticides.
Gergely Simon, campaigner at PAN Europe, says: "One of the most striking results is that 85% of the tested apples contained multiple pesticide residues. The European Food Safety Authority has been tasked 20 years ago to develop a methodology to regulate cocktail effects of pesticides but they still do not fulfil this legal obligation."
Gergely Simon added: "There is mounting scientific evidence that exposure to pesticides via food is related to infertility, and possibly to cancers. The constant exposure of citizens to mixtures of toxic substances via food, air or dust is not taken into account; this important issue must be tackled by regulatory bodies."
Seventy one percent (71%) of apple samples contained at least one residue of the EU category of the most toxic pesticides (the so-called Candidates for Substitution) [3], while 64% of the samples contained at least one residue of PFAS pesticides [4], and 36% contained a neurotoxic pesticide [5].
In particular, Fludioxonil is found in nearly 40% of the samples: it is a PFAS pesticide and was classified as an endocrine disruptor in the EU in 2024. It should therefore have been banned, but EU Member States have been blocking this for a year now. It is toxic to the liver and kidney for humans, and it decimates fish and amphibians in aquatic environments.
Martin Dermine, PAN Europe's executive director, said: "If EU and national regulatory authorities properly implement the law, a series of pesticides detected on apples would have been banned long ago. Like acetamiprid, which is toxic to foetuses' brains or difenoconazole, an endocrine disruptor and neurotoxic. Instead, the EU is proposing to weaken health protection with its Omnibus proposal on food and feed. Our report highlights that a more thorough regulation is needed, not less."
Gergely Simon concluded: "For children under three, the EU regulation has a precautionary approach and sets strict limits for pesticide residues for processed food, in order to protect their development. Young parents are not aware that feeding their children with fresh conventional fruits or vegetables strongly increases their exposure to pesticides, sometimes more than 600 times. Public authorities should inform them and promote organic food in priority".
The European Commission proposed in December 2025 to deregulate pesticides by allowing for time-unlimited approval periods, removing the obligation to re-assess their toxicity every 10 to 15 years, in light of new scientific evidence. The Commission also proposes to allow Member States to disregard the latest scientific evidence on pesticide toxicity, when assessing the toxicity of a pesticide. PAN Europe and its members oppose this proposal and advocate for a stricter implementation of existing rules, and a better protection of citizens' health and the environment.
Read the full report HERE.
More information:
- PAN Europe: Gergely Simon, gergely [at] pan-europe.info, +32 2 318 62 55
Notes:
[2] Nature et Progrès Belgique (Belgium), Earth Trek (Croatia), Hnuti DUHA - Friends of the Earth Czech Republic (Czech republic), Danish Consumer council THINK CHEMICALS. Forbrugerrådet Tænk (Denmark), Générations Futures (France), PAN Germany (Germany), MTVSZ - Friends of the Earth Hungary (Hungary), Koen Hertoge - PAN Europe (Italy), Mouvement Ecologique (Luxembourg), Pesticiden Netwerk - PAN Netherland (Netherlands), Koalicja Żywa Ziemia - Living Earth Coalition (Poland), Ecologistas en Accion (Spain), WWF Schweiz (Switzerland)
[3] Candidates for Substitution | PAN Europe
