Pesticides in wine! What's the solution?

Over the past years, there has been growing concern regarding the presence of pesticides in wine. Studies conducted in 2016 revealed that 14% of wines tested contained various harmful pesticides. However, the situation has worsened significantly, with a shocking 50% of wines tested in 2022 found to contain pesticides.

19 different pesticides (up from 16 in 2016) were found in 72 wine samples tested, including nine chemicals linked to cancer.

The presence of pesticides in wine not only poses a risk to the health of consumers but also to those who live and work in wine-producing regions. A study conducted in France in 2023 found that children living near vineyards face an increased risk of developing leukaemia.

Furthermore, individuals working in the wine industry are also at risk. A Canadian study (2016) revealed that wine industry workers face a higher risk of developing diseases caused by exposure to high doses of pesticides used in vineyards.

What's the solution?

But wine lovers need not despair, as it is possible to purchase organic wine that has been produced without the use of toxic chemicals.

Source: www.pan-uk.org