The European Commission issued a food alert after detecting high levels of methomyl, an unauthorized pesticide, in watermelons for human consumption from Morocco.
The alert was issued after Spain reported the finding through the Rasff system, and subsequently the European Union countries were notified.
The EU detection system has categorized the risk level as “serious”, although the amount of pesticide found in the fruit has not been specified.
The consumer organization Facua indicated that the Moroccan watermelons registered traces of the pesticide at levels higher than those allowed in the European market.
The Maximum Residue Limit (MRL) established for methomyl is 0.015 mg/kg-ppm, while the watermelons analyzed had a ratio of 0.38+/-0.19 mg/kg-ppm.
Health effects
Facua warns that methomyl is a substance used as a pesticide that can have serious consequences in some cases, such as headache, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, excessive sweating, tremors and blurred vision. In addition, its combination with alcohol can impact the nervous system.
So far, no action has been taken in reaction to this finding, which is of concern to consumers.
Watermelon is one of the most consumed fruits during the summer in Spain, so authorities and supermarkets are urged to take the necessary precautions to avoid health risks to consumers.
Vigilance in the importation of agricultural products becomes crucial to avoid risks to public health.
Methomyl: a broad-spectrum insecticide for crop pest control
Methomyl is an insecticide widely used in agriculture for the control of pests affecting fruit trees, vegetables and cereals.
It belongs to the carbamate family, a class of chemical pesticides derived from carbamic acid. This compound stands out for its shock effect and its ability to be absorbed by insects, which makes it a potent inhibitor of the enzyme acetylcholinesterase.
Methomyl acts by altering the neurophysiological functions of insects, making it effective against a wide range of pests. It acts inside the insect’s organism once it has been in contact with the product or has ingested it.
Thanks to its broad spectrum of action, methomyl is effective in the control of various pests that affect crops, such as aphids, grubs, beetles, mites and whiteflies, among others.
However, due to its potent activity and potential risks to human health and the environment, its use should be carried out with caution and following the indications and doses recommended by the regulatory authorities.
The insecticide methomyl was detected in watermelons from Morocco.
