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France 24
France 24
National
Cyrielle CABOT

Pesticides, cadmium, PFAS: France reckons with the hidden toxins in food (1/2)

Members of the agricultural unions FDSEA 72 and Jeunes Agriculteurs (JA) farmer unions, remove from shelves goods containing some acetamiprid, a neonicotinoid pesticide, during a protest
Members of the agricultural unions FDSEA 72 and Jeunes Agriculteurs (JA) farmer unions, remove from shelves goods containing some acetamiprid, a neonicotinoid pesticide, during a protest operation at a supermarket in Mundolsheim, on August 20, 2025. © Frederick Florin, AFP

Concern over pesticides, PFAS “forever chemicals”, cadmium and other contaminants has been on the rise since a March report revealed French residents are up to four times more likely to register unsafe levels of cadmium than their European counterparts. For many, reducing exposure to these chemicals has become a priority – but also a source of anxiety. We spoke to two women campaigning to raise awareness of toxins in food.

FRANCE 24 is launching a series of articles this week that examines the cocktail of contaminants increasingly found in everyday food.

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