Dimethoate, an insecticide which is controversial and banned in France, has recently been found on tomatoes from Mayotte. The Prefecture of Mayotte has issued an order and published an alarming report: out of 14 samples taken by the DAAF services of the Ministry of Food and Agriculture, 10 are “non-compliant”. The authorities will therefore be “closely monitoring” sales and distribution for a period of 150 days.
In 2016, two whole parcels of tomatoes, 53,820 square feet and 5 tons of vegetables, had to be destroyed because of a dimethoate contamination. This insecticide can have a very harmful effect on the environment as well as humans. It works by inhibiting cholinesterase, an enzyme essential for the proper functioning of the nervous system of insects and humans.
