Health risk of Brazilian people by consuming fruits and vegetables with pesticide residues and emerging opportunities

Abstract

The objectives of this research were to identify the risk to public health in the consumption of fruits and vegetables (FLVs) with pesticide residues and evaluate how managers in the retail sector are exploring opportunities related to demand for healthy foods. The methodology consisted of quantitative study that compare the consumption of 18 types of fruit and vegetables (FLVs) for six socioeconomic classes of the population, acording to IBGE Family Income Survey and information from Program of Analysis of Pesticide Residues (PARA), in 2009. Retail strategies to offer more innocuous fruits and vegetables were, also, evaluated by considering the perceptions of 10 experts in this area. The results pointed out that upper class Brazilians are the highest exposed to the consumption food with pesticide residues in fruits and vegetables. To supply organic products is the major alternative to meet the needs of consumers that look for safety foods in the retail market.