Wine in EU contaminated with pesticides: environmentalists

AFP, March, 2008

BRUSSELS (AFP) — Wines sold in the European Union systematically contain traces of pesticides, a group of environmental associations said Wednesday.

Pesticide Action Network Europe, an umbrella organisation for concerned groups in Austria, France and Germany, said it had "uncovered substantial evidence" of contamination by studying 40 sample bottles of wines.

The wines were of Australian, Austrian, Chilean, French, Italian, German, Portuguese and South African and included six wines produced through organic farming.

The non-organic bottles of wine contained on average traces of four pesticides; one revealed 10 different pesticides.

The group's analysis found 24 specific pesticide contaminants, including five it said were classified by the European Union as ...