Poisoned Fruits

I admit, I'm one of the millions of mother who uses Del Monte Fruit Cocktail everytime we have Fruit Salad or Buko Salad and I even use it for Halo-Halo for my family. But the tragedy of the Princess of the Stars have exposed an ugly truth behind what we love to make during family gatherings. This sinister truth goes by the name of Endosulfan.

Endosulfan according to www.wikipedia.org "is a neurotoxic organochlorine insecticide of the cyclodiene family of pesticides. It is an endocrine disruptor, and it is highly acutely toxic. It is banned in the European Union, Cambodia, and several other countries, while its use is restricted in other countries, including the Philippines. It is still used extensively in many countries including the US and India. It is made by Bayer CropScience, Makhteshim-Agan, and Hindustan Insecticides Limited among others, and sold under the tradenames Thionex, Thiodan, Phaser, and Benzoepin. Because of its high toxicity and high potential for bioaccumulation and environmental contamination, a global ban on the use and manufacture of endosulfan is being considered under the Stockholm Convention."

Del Monte Philippines have admitted that they are using Endosulfan as pesticide and argued that under Philippine law, their use of Endosulfan is legal. Sure, it might be legal but it doesn't mean it is correct to use this toxic pesticide.

Wikipedia also stated that in 2007, Bayer Cropscience voluntarily pulled out Endosulfan products in the United States but continue to sell them to countries like our country. Environmental groups are in uproar about the continued use of Del Monte Philippines of Endosulfan and are currently calling for a boycott of Del Monte products.

For now, I'm playing safe and will stop buying Del Monte Products.

p.s. let's all pray for the victims of the Princess of the Stars and may their soul rest in heaven.