A single piece of fruit sold in İstanbul contained residue from as many as 21 different pesticides, according to a new report by Greenpeace Turkey that raises the alarm over food safety and potential risks to children’s health.
The report, titled “Pesticides and Children: Multiple Residues, PFAS, and Developmental Toxicity,” is based on an analysis of 155 fruit and vegetable samples collected in December 2024 from local markets and major supermarket chains in İstanbul.
Researchers found that 61 percent of the samples contained more than one pesticide, while 12 percent had between seven and 21 different types.
Pesticides, chemicals used to kill or deter pests such as insects, fungi and weeds, are widely used in modern agriculture to protect crop yields. In Turkey, where agriculture accounts for roughly 17 percent of the workforce, the use of pesticides has become increasingly common amid rising pressure on farmers to meet both domestic and export demand.
But this widespread use comes at a cost, according to Greenpeace. “Even small quantities of certain pesticides can cause irreversible harm if exposure occurs during key stages of development,” said Dr. Bülent Şık, a food engineer and the report’s lead author. He warned that children are especially vulnerable due to their developing bodies and heightened sensitivity to chemical exposure.
Among the most contaminated produce were pears and grapes. Ninety percent of these samples contained at least one pesticide linked to reproductive or developmental harm. Pickled vine leaves (80 percent), green peppers (70 percent) and spinach (67 percent) also showed high levels of contamination.
One-third of the tested samples exceeded Turkey’s Maximum Residue Limits (MRLs), which set permissible pesticide levels in food.
The report also flagged the presence of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), a group of synthetic chemicals known for their persistence in the environment and links to health issues such as thyroid disease, infertility, immune system suppression and some cancers. According to Greenpeace, 43 percent of the samples contained at least one PFAS-based pesticide.
While 75 PFAS pesticides are currently approved for use in Turkey, many European Union countries are phasing them out or banning them altogether. Greenpeace warned that Turkish regulations have not kept pace with evolving international standards.
Beyond human health, the study also emphasized environmental concerns. Roughly 33 percent of the samples contained substances harmful to pollinators such as bees, while 21.3 percent had chemicals toxic to aquatic life, posing broader threats to biodiversity and ecosystem stability.
Greenpeace noted that chemical-intensive farming is not the only option. Alternatives such as crop rotation, biological pest control and soil health restoration are viable but require government support through training, financial aid and technical assistance.
Although the study was limited to İstanbul and conducted over a short period of time, Greenpeace said the findings point to systemic weaknesses in Turkey’s food safety and agricultural oversight. Unlike in the EU, where pesticide residue data and regulatory updates are publicly available, Turkey does not release such information, limiting transparency and consumer awareness.
Greenpeace Turkey is calling on the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry and the Ministry of Health to phase out Highly Hazardous Pesticides (HHPs), especially those containing PFAS or linked to reproductive and hormonal damage. The group also urges the government to establish a publicly accessible pesticide residue database and to invest in agroecological farming practices through subsidies, training and infrastructure.
The report suggests that transitioning to organic and ecological agriculture is essential to protecting long-term public health and preserving environmental sustainability.