Strawberries in the test: imported goods are no more dangerous than domestic ones!

Strawberries in the test: imported goods are no more dangerous than domestic ones!

A recent study shows that imported strawberries from southern Europe are not necessarily more contaminated with pesticides than domestic strawberries. This is reported by Stiftung Warentest in a test carried out by BR.de was summarized. A total of 23 products were tested, and the results were consistently positive. The pesticide contamination of the strawberries and their residues remained “very low to low” and were below the legal maximum values.

What is particularly noteworthy is that no residues were detected in four organic samples, while conventional strawberries were often contaminated with several active ingredients. In extreme cases, up to twelve different pesticides could be detected in just one sample. An important finding of the testers is the significant price difference: local organic strawberries can be up to five times more expensive than conventional imported goods.

The importance of taste and freshness

The product testers recommend buying local strawberries because of their superior taste. These are usually harvested when fully ripe, which leads to better aroma development. In contrast, imported strawberries are often less aromatic and lose valuable ingredients such as vitamin C due to longer transport times. The climate footprint also plays a crucial role: regional strawberries only have a CO₂ footprint of 0.3 kg CO₂ per kilogram, while strawberries from heated greenhouses in Germany have a much higher footprint of 3.4 kg CO₂ per kilogram.

Additionally, water use for strawberry cultivation and poor working conditions for seasonal workers in growing regions such as Huelva, Andalusia, raise further ethical and environmental concerns.

Comparison to other fruits

In connection with pesticide contamination, the comparison to other types of fruit is also relevant. According to a report by Eco test In 2023, around 70% of the strawberries examined had multiple residues, which represents a higher burden than in the previous year. In comparison, 62% of apples and 100% of bananas also had pesticide residues, but no levels above permissible limits. When it comes to bananas, it should be noted that the peel has higher residues than the pulp.

The problem of pesticides and their residues affects many types of fruit, not just strawberries. Consumers are encouraged to pay attention to origin and organic farming methods when purchasing in order to protect their health and the environment.