Watermelon worries

A HEALTH alert was issued in Spain after the detection of a high level of an unauthorised pesticide in a batch of watermelons being delivered from Morocco.

In a statement published on Monday, July 24, on its official Twitter account, FACUA­Consumers in Action reported: 'the detection at border control of a batch of watermelons from Morocco in which a high level of methomyl, an unauthorised pesticide'.

This warning was initially issued by RASFF, the European Rapid Alert System for Food and Feed. It said the watermelons that came from Morocco allegedly contained traces of an insecticide in proportions that exceeded the limits established in Europe.

'Specifically, in a proportion of 0.38+/­0.19 mg/kg­ppm, when its Maximum Residue Limit (MRL) is established at 0.015 mg/kg­ppm', explained FACUA.

According to the consumer organisation, RASFF qualified the incident as 'serious', but does not know the origin from where the affected watermelons were distributed.

Methomyl is a substance that is used as a pesticide and can have serious consequences in some cases. The symptoms of poisoning by this substance are headaches, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, excessive sweating, tremors, muscle weakness and blurred vision.

Mixing methomyl with alcohol consumption can impact the central and peripheral nervous system, as well as cause kidney failure.