Pesticide contamination of the environment and its impact on organic food production

Summary

Pesticides are released into the environment in great numbers and huge quantities. This literature review aims to summarize the current scientific knowledge about pesticide contamination of the environment and its implications on the food chain. It approaches the topic by analysing (i) pesticide contamination of the major environmental compartments and the ‘post‐harvest environment’ of food, (ii) the fate of pesticides within these compartments, and (iii) their transition into the food chain and non‐target vegetation.