Experts warn of pesticides in Armenian food, inspectors see no issues
Pesticides in Armenian food
Pesticides in fruit and vegetables, antibiotics in farmed fish and nitrates in melons and watermelons. These are just some of the problems highlighted in a report by Armenia‘s Food Safety Inspection Body.
Opposition Strong Armenia faction MP Harutyun Mnatsakanyan raised the issue from the National Assembly rostrum, citing the report itself. However, the Food Safety Inspection Body responded by accusing the MP of spreading false information:
“In 2024, it was not 192 but 179 samples that were tested for pesticides. Pesticides were detected in 91 of them, but in only six did pesticide levels exceed the permitted limit established by the relevant EAEU regulations [the economic union of which Armenia is a member].”
The agency also said pesticides could have been found not just in every second sample but in all the fruit and vegetable samples tested. It explained that “these substances are used during cultivation, and it is impossible to produce a healthy crop without them”.
Meanwhile, experts described the data contained in the agency’s report as “appalling and shameful”.
“We are literally living on an experimental testing ground where all kinds of chemicals are being tested on us,” food safety expert David Pipoyan said.
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What hazardous substances were detected?
As part of its 2024 report, the Food Safety Inspection Body tested 179 food products for pesticide residues in products of plant origin. A further 19 products were tested for genetically modified organisms (GMOs).
The products tested included apples, peaches, strawberries, plums, grapes, potatoes, tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers, aubergines, watermelons, melons and corn.
Nitrates were detected in samples of melon, watermelon and potatoes.
GMOs accounted for 5.2% of one corn sample brought from Lori Region.
The highest pesticide levels exceeding permitted limits were recorded in products from Ararat, Armavir, Aragatsotn and Kotayk regions.
Of 696 samples tested, heavy metals were detected in nine — including potatoes, tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers and aubergines.
According to the inspection body’s report, unacceptably high levels of antibiotic contamination were found in honey from Vayots Dzor, Gegharkunik and Lori regions.
The report also says that consuming fish farmed in artificial ponds may pose health risks:
“The antibiotics detected in the samples, particularly compounds from the nitrofuran and metronidazole groups, have a cumulative effect and may have carcinogenic and mutagenic effects.”
‘We are putting our children at risk’
MP Harutyun Mnatsakanyan highlighted the presence of nitrates in potatoes, watermelons and melons:
“Our children are the most vulnerable to nitrates. In other words, by consuming products made in Armenia, we are putting the health of our children and our parents at enormous risk. I am not even talking about ourselves.”
He said farmers should not be blamed, as they cannot establish clear standards for pesticide use themselves. Mnatsakanyan said strict controls were needed:
“Controls must extend all the way to the market. The inspection body is proposing legislative amendments to establish pesticide controls throughout the supply chain. This needs to be done now, not after the next round of monitoring.”
The MP proposed taking the following steps urgently:
- publishing all of the inspection body’s 2024 monitoring results;
- holding parliamentary hearings involving representatives of the inspection body and the Economy Ministry, as well as scientists and MPs.
Inspection body: ‘No banned pesticides detected’
The inspection body said it was unacceptable to “mislead the public with unfounded and panic-inducing headlines”.
It also responded to the opposition MP’s claim that “what is banned in Brussels and Washington ends up on the plates of our elderly parents and children”. The body’s experts said some pesticides may be banned in one country while being permitted in another:
“Armenia is a party to the Rotterdam and Stockholm conventions and, in accordance with its international obligations, prohibits the registration, import and use of pesticides covered by these conventions. No banned pesticides were detected in the products tested in our country.”
Expert commentary
Food safety expert David Pipoyan recalled that industry experts had raised concerns about food quality a year earlier, but the Food Safety Inspection Body had dismissed their claims as defamatory.
“Last year, this same body denied everything at a news conference, saying there had been no violations. This year, it published — effectively hid — this appalling report on a little-known platform,” he said.
According to Pipoyan, if 47 out of every 100 samples tested were contaminated, this would mean that roughly every second purchase could potentially involve a contaminated product. In other words, he said, consumers would face a 47% chance of buying fruit or vegetables contaminated with pesticides.
Pipoyan said the problems went beyond the risk of consuming products containing carcinogenic substances:
“If you look at the range of pesticides being used, you can find neurotoxic substances, as well as pesticides that affect children’s health.”
He stressed that the report’s findings pointed to an ongoing risk for all consumers. In Pipoyan’s view, the publication of such a report in other countries would inevitably have led to those responsible for quality control being held accountable.
Social media reaction
Social media users also expressed outrage over the situation. Here are some of their comments:
“Every day you pay money to eat poison. And then you wonder why Armenia has ranked among the world’s leaders in cancer cases for decades.”
“This shows complete disregard for the health of the country’s own people.”
“We are demanding not token legislative ‘initiatives’ and justifications, but strict, genuine laboratory controls — from the fields to the shops.”
“Agricultural producers, are you happy with what you are doing? Let’s say there are no controls. But what about your conscience? Don’t you understand that you are committing a crime by poisoning people?“
“I’ve been saying it: we eat poison every day. Meanwhile, environmentalists are only concerned with shutting down mining operations. Environmentalists, what do you have to say now?“
“Whatever you feel like eating, pray first and then eat.”
“Everyone who doesn’t care about people’s health should be held accountable.”
