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Over half of bread 'contains pesticides'

Pesticide residue was found in almost two thirds of bread products in the UK, according to a report based on Government figures.

Studies had shown that even very low doses of certain pesticides ingested regularly and in combination with other chemicals could have Credit: PA

The amount has more than doubled in bread products with 63% found in bread products last year, where as only 28% was found to contain pesticide residue in 2001.

The study by the Pesticide Action Network (Pan) UK and the Organic Naturally Different campaign said some 7% of the organic samples - three out of 42 products tested - contained a single residue, while none contained multiple residues.

Pan UK said the most likely explanation for this was cross-contamination from non-organic crops, either during production or storage.