Tests from the laboratory on flower bouquets in France showed "widespread contamination" with "insecticides, some of which are banned in Europe". According to this study, published in the Friday edition of the journal Consumer Rights, released by the Federation of Consumers (UFC). The journal "Que Choisir" warns that the contamination of flowers with these insecticides "poses a risk" for buyers, especially for those who work with them, and called in its statement for "modern measures for the protection of public health and the environment".
"We discovered that all flowers are contaminated" and that "up to 46 different types of insecticides were found in each bouquet". These insecticides contain substances that have already been proven to be carcinogenic and cause violations of the endocrine system, which directly threatens the health of people who come into contact with them daily.
The organization drew attention to the fact that there are no rules limiting the presence of insecticides in cut flowers, 80% of which are imported from countries that still allow the use of highly toxic substances.
This step was taken after the death of a little girl from leukemia, linked to her mother, a flower vendor, being exposed to these substances during pregnancy.
Consumer consultation, the organization recommends choosing organic and French seasonal flowers, which also reduces their ecological impact.
