State school parents demand checks on fruit and veg over pesticide scare

The Maltese Association of Parents of State School Students (MAPSSS) has demanded that the investment in the School Fruit Scheme be complemented by urgent efforts to regularise the testing of fruit and vegetables in Malta.

MAPSSS was reacting to press reports of high pesticide levels in fruit and vegetables, due to lengthy testing procedures abroad.

“This situation undermines the considerable effort at home and in schools to engage children in healthy eating habits and can have enormous implications on the short-term and long-term well being of the consumers,” MAPSSS said.

The association said it would be a shame if the EU-funded voluntary School Fruit Scheme was undermined by little control on the agricultural products distributed to our children.

“MAPSSS expects that fruit and vegetables distributed to school children through the School Fruit Scheme, have the least possible pesticide residue and are absolutely safe for consumption in line with relevant EU legislation. Better still, the scheme should opt to give children high quality integrated pest-managed fruit and vegetables.”