According to UFC Que Choisir, over 50% of fruit and vegetables are contaminated with pesticides. Pesticides are used in intensive agriculture. According to UFC Que Choisir, 80% of apples are contaminated, and most of them contain several endocrine disruptors.

With almost 1.5 million tonnes a year, France is Europe's third-largest apple producer. Each French household is estimated to consume 17 kg a year.In intensive agriculture, apples are subject to numerous treatments, mainly involving toxic products. Moreover, we know that bees pollinate apple trees, essential for the development of apples.

Even more alarming is the fact that the French have the highest level of pesticides in their blood. By comparison, Germans and Americans have three times fewer pesticides in their blood (Source: Institut national de veille sanitaire (INVS)).

Choose organic apples to avoid pesticides  

To avoid pesticides, we recommend eating organic apples. Indeed, organic farming uses no synthetic chemicals or GMOs.

To obtain the AB (Agriculture Biologique) label, certain characteristics must be respected. The label attests to a production method that respects the environment but also animal and biodiversity well-being, and the health of both growers and consumers.

Organic farming is subject to regular controls and European regulations. These controls are carried out by bodies approved by the French public authorities. The three fundamental rules of organic farming are :
-GMOs are prohibited;
-Under no circumstances may synthetic pesticides or herbicides be used in production;-No synthetic fertilizers or sewage sludge should be used in this type of cultivation.

In short, organic farming avoids the pesticide residues found in intensively farmed produce.

Difference between organic and non-organic apples

Organic apples do not use chemical pesticides. Authorized products include copper, sulfur and calcium chloride. Compared with non-organic apples, no synthetic pesticides are used to combat red spider mites, aphids, codling moth, etc. In fact, mineral oils, sticky traps, the alt-carpo technique and kaolinite clay are all used.

In organic farming, the agroecosystem must be balanced. There are therefore many points to consider, such as soil care, fertilization and daily observation of the orchard.