The results of the study of 60 Million consumers on pesticides and rice were released last January. Camargue rice is a benchmark in the rice growing landscape. Analyzes reveal that they are “exemplary in terms of pesticides”. What are these substances over-represented in other rice offered on the market? How does the PGI “Camargue rice” prevent this contamination?
What pesticides are present in imported rice?
To know which rice to buy without pesticides, you need to know the risky substances. What are they?
Substances at risk for human health
Among the harmful molecules identified by the study of 60 million consumers, we find tebuconazole. It is a fungicide which also helps regulate plant growth.
Other substances at risk for human health: cypermethrin, a very effective insecticide, but classified as potentially CMR (carcinogenic, mutagenic and toxic for reproduction) by ANSES.
Elements harmful to the environment
What is harmful to humans is more generally harmful to living things and the environment. Some rice analyzed shows traces of another pesticide harmful to ecosystems: isoprothiolane, banned for use in the European Union. However, finding residues in food products is not illegal.
Quinclorac is another substance presenting a danger to the environment and found in references examined by 60 million consumers. The report notes that the rice in question comes from Myanmar, but specifies that it is difficult to draw general conclusions to link contamination and a country. Especially since most batches do not allow for real traceability on the pre-packaged raw product.
The good news: no batches above regulatory thresholds
None of the references tested by the study exceed the regulatory limits. There are certainly very few references committed to a pesticide-free approach, but all remain within the regulations in terms of maximum authorized residue limits.
One caveat, however: these limits set by the European Commission relate exclusively to pesticides. However, not all the harmful substances found in rice come from “pesticides” strictly speaking. The investigation thus revealed the presence of piperonyl butoxide, a synergizing agent which allows the effects of an active compound to be multiplied. The long-term effects of this compound are currently unknown, but the acceleration of its use raises questions.
Which rice to buy without pesticides?
Which pesticide-free rice could be identified in this study? Unsurprisingly, we find organic pesticide-free rice and Protected Geographical Indication (PGI) Camargue rice. The IGP recognizes an agricultural product whose qualities are directly associated with a particular terroir. With Camargue rice, this geographical area is located between the sea and the two arms of the Rhône.
This area, the historic cradle of French rice cultivation, makes it possible to achieve a good level of productivity while limiting the use of pesticides. How ? By selecting rice varieties adapted to the agro-climatic conditions of the Camargue. These plants are naturally armed to resist rice pests and diseases.
In her editorial, Sylvie Metzelard, the editor-in-chief of 60 Millions de consommateurs, invites us to “push a little well-deserved coconut rice” for “Camargue rice [which] are exemplary in terms of pesticides” and “to encourage our French producers who fight to offer good products.”
Provence Factoriz is one of these producers committed to the economy of natural resources and the promotion of ancestral know-how from the Camargue.
Provence Factoriz: organic Camargue rice without pesticides
At Provence Factoriz, the new generation of rice farmers perpetuates the family heritage and develops new solutions to continue working while respecting the environment and local agricultural traditions.
The sector has integrated several innovations in favor of the preservation of resources, such as the management of fresh water flows on the land: the perfect leveling of rice fields using the laser level saves electricity on the pumping stations and d avoid wasting water. Provence Factoriz also supports the evolution of demand towards healthy and eco-responsible products. For example, the company has developed a sparkling fermented drink made from an agricultural by-product: rice alcohol.
The valorization of co-products such as straw and rice husk in eco-construction is part of Provence Factoriz's commitments, to bequeath to future generations a preserved environment and a viable economic model with fair remuneration for rice growing professions. The integration of the short circuit sector and a zero waste approach is yet another way to ensure the future of Camargue rice.
The “pesticide-free” approach is thus part of a whole series of actions carried out in favor of the protection of the sector with its know-how and its unique ecosystem, without forgetting the always reinforced quality requirement to meet the demands of consumers.
Find all the PGI and organic pesticide-free rice from the Hériztage brand offered by Provence Factoriz.
