Italy Vegetables insights

The origin price of Spanish extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) is situated well below the average quotations recorded in Italy and is also inf

Italian Money reports that over the past decade, public awareness of dietary health and food characteristics has significantly improved, with more people choosing to reduce meat intake and shift towards healthier, more environmentally sustainable fruits and vegetables. This trend aligns with the World Health Organization's recommendation to consume at least 600 grams of fruits and vegetables daily, which helps maintain health, extend life, and prevent various diseases. However, the question remains: Are the vegetables we serve at our tables truly safe? Several authoritative studies point out that many crops in Italy are facing the threat of pesticide contamination, with five common vegetables being particularly severely polluted. ·Bell Peppers, Lettuce, and Tomatoes The "Stop Pesticides on the Plate" project, a collaboration between the Italian non-profit environmental organization Legambiente and the organic food brand Alce Nero, conducts annual analyses of pesticide usage in Italian agricultural products. In the latest report released in 2024, researchers tested over 5,000 natural and organic food samples, finding pesticide residues in more than 40% of the samples. Fruit contamination was relatively severe, with 74% of samples detecting pesticide residues, while vegetable contamination was 34%, though still not negligible. Specifically, bell peppers, lettuce, and tomatoes showed the most serious contamination, with over 50% of samples detecting pesticide residues. ·Cucumbers, Celery, and Bell Peppers Another notable study, "Toxic Harvest: The Rise of Forever Pesticides in Fruit and Vegetables in Europe," was initiated by the non-profit environmental organization PAN Europe and its partner organizations. The study analyzed data from Italy between 2011 and 2021, revealing that PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) carcinogenic permanent compounds in Italian vegetables increased by 536% over a decade, far exceeding the European average of 292%. In 2021 alone, researchers found that 7% of samples provided by Italy contained PFAS pesticide residues. Cucumbers had the highest contamination rate, with 34% of samples detecting at least one PFAS pesticide residue; followed by celery at 24%; and bell peppers in third place,

During the International Potato Symposium, held at the Macfrut fair in Rimini, experts highlighted the main challenges faced by the potato production chain, such as the impacts of climate change, the reduction of global production, and the advance of pests and diseases. According to Luciano Trentini, the event coordinator, the creation of a Common Market Organization for potatoes in the European Union, implemented so far only by Italy, can boost the modernization of the sector.