Hidden Harvest: Hazardous Pesticides Found in SA Infant Food and Staple Crops

https://www.dailymaverick.co.za

By Daniélle Schaafsma
28 June 2026

South Africa currently uses 195 highly hazardous pesticides, many of which have been banned in the European Union—raising serious concerns about public health, environmental safety, and global regulatory disparities.

Recent laboratory results have revealed glyphosate residues in popular South African foods, including infant products, exceeding government safety levels. These findings were discussed during a webinar titled “Poison On Your Plate? SA’s Battle to Ban Highly Hazardous Pesticides.”

According to Daily Maverick journalist Lillian Roberts, South Africa’s domestic use of glyphosate—one of the world’s most widely used herbicides—increased dramatically from 12 million litres in 2005 to 20 million litres by 2012.

This issue gained urgency when SANAS-certified laboratory tests confirmed contamination in:

• Maize meal
• Wheat flour
• Bread
• Baby cereal

Two of these products exceeded the government’s maximum residue levels (MRLs).

The Glyphosate Findings

The African Centre for Biodiversity has formally called for glyphosate to be deregistered and banned in South Africa. Both glyphosate and its byproduct AMPA are linked to:

• Increased cancer risk
• Endocrine disruption
• Damage to gut microbiomes

Refiloe Joala of the Rosa Luxemburg Stiftung noted that pesticide exposure is widespread:

“Pesticides are basically everywhere, and there are multiple sites of exposure, one of them primarily being our food.”

Independent testing conducted for the documentary Toxic Harvest found that only one out of nine fresh produce items tested fell below official residue limits.

However, Annelize Crosby of Agbiz cautioned against misinterpreting MRLs, explaining they are not direct safety thresholds. Instead, health risks are assessed using acceptable daily intake and acute reference dose standards.

Banned Abroad, Used Locally

Out of 195 highly hazardous pesticides still permitted in South Africa:

• Only one—Terbufos—has been banned (in early 2026)
• Approximately 60% are banned in the European Union

This inconsistency has sparked the “Double Standards” campaign by the Women on Farms Project.

Kara Mackay explained:

“There are pesticides banned in Europe for health and environmental reasons, yet Europe continues to produce and export them to South Africa.”

While industry representatives acknowledge these concerns, they argue that differences in climate, pest pressures, and economic factors require alternative regulatory approaches.

The Human Cost

Beyond policy debates, the impact on farm workers is severe and deeply personal.

Mackay shared the story of Solomon Piet, a farm worker employed as a pesticide sprayer without:

• Protective equipment
• Medical monitoring
• Basic washing facilities

After three years, Piet developed cancer and was unable to work. His employer attempted to evict his family when he could no longer work.

His daughter was forced to leave school to support the family.

“When a worker is not given proper protections, it’s not just their health that is destroyed—their livelihood is decimated. The dreams of their children are also affected.”

Testimonies like Piet’s are supported by findings from the South African People’s Tribunal on Agrotoxins, which documented widespread unsafe practices, including:

• Spraying without worker warnings
• Lack of protective gear
• No access to water for hygiene

Food Security vs Safety

Industry groups argue that pesticides remain essential to maintaining crop yields and keeping food affordable.

Crosby warned:

“If agricultural yields drop or prices rise, the poorest will suffer the most.”

However, Joala challenged this perspective, noting that food insecurity in South Africa is driven more by affordability than availability.

She also raised concerns about environmental impacts, explaining that highly hazardous pesticides can:

• Degrade soil biodiversity
• Kill beneficial microorganisms
• Reduce nutritional quality of food

“We may produce more calories, but often the food is less nutritious.”

Key Takeaway:
South Africa’s pesticide use highlights a complex tension between food security, public health, environmental sustainability, and global regulatory inequality. As evidence grows, so does pressure for reform that protects both consumers and agricultural workers.