According to Health Times, Greenpeace investigators went shopping in December 2008 and February 2009 and bought 1 kilogram (about 2.2 pounds) of each type of common fruits and vegetables, such as Chinese white cabbage, spinach, beans, bitter melon, cucumbers, tomatoes, and strawberries, which is approximately the daily intake of a family of three.
The purchased produce was then taken to a certified third-party testing center in Qingdao, Shandong Province.
The center tested 45 samples; 40 contained a total of 50 types of pesticides; 25 contained at least 5 types of pesticides; and 5 contained at least 10 types of pesticides.
The strawberry purchased in the Beijing Wal-Mart, as well as a cucumber purchased in a Guangzhou supermarket, contained 13 types of pesticides. The report described the severity of the concentration as a “pesticide cocktail.”
More importantly, nine samples contained highly toxic pesticides as listed by the World Health Organization (WHO), some of which could cause cancer.
Surprisingly, Greenpeace reported that produce found in traditional farmers’ markets contained fewer pesticides than produce found in supermarkets.
A manager of Wal-Mart China who read the report by Greenpeace said Wal-Mart removed the contaminated produce from the sales floor. They are conducting an investigation and plan to fine the produce suppliers.