European strawberries widely contaminated with PFAS and endocrine-disrupting pesticides

Pesticide Action Network Europe | July 7, 2026

Read the full article (Pesticide Action Network Europe)

"A new investigation carried out by PAN Europe and partner NGOs reveals that strawberries produced in the EU are significantly contaminated with cocktails of highly toxic pesticides. PFAS pesticides were detected in 58% of the samples. The most frequently identified pesticides are fludioxonil and cyprodinil, two endocrine disruptors that should have been banned under EU law. In addition, 56% of the identified pesticides are part of the group of the 'more hazardous pesticides' that should have been phased out since 2011. These results confirm that a better implementation of the pesticide legislation is needed, not a loosening of the rules, as currently discussed in the EU under the Food and Feed Safety Omnibus proposal.

Strawberries are a very popular fruit in the EU and can be consumed in high quantities by children. With strong demand from consumers, their production is intensive. PAN Europe and its partner NGOs tested 41 strawberry samples across eleven EU countries [1] for pesticide residues: 36 conventional, four organic and one labelled as pesticide-free.

Gergely Simon, a campaigner at PAN Europe, said: "We were astonished by the number of different residues found in many tested samples: up to nine different residues of pesticides were identified in a Belgian sample, eight in a Hungarian and seven in an Irish one. The general public must be informed that these cocktails are not considered by regulatory authorities."