Employees of a Food Lion store in Virginia also reported illnesses in 1993 when they were ordered to fog their store with insecticides each night to control flies. Furthermore, NCAP reports that numerous major retail supermarkets have been caught in the act of directly spraying display produce with insecticides such as Raid and Black Flag. 4 Less, and Albertson's in Oregon, Washington, California and Arizona. Supermarket customers and employees have also reported regular pesticide spraying in deli, bakery, meat, pet food and bulk foods sections. NCAP is extremely concerned about the pattern of casual and sometimes daily use of insecticides in supermarkets, according to spokesperson Becky Riley.
Pesticides are poisons.
Showering shoppers or produce with toxic chemicals is a complete violation of the public trust. The active ingredients of some pesticides commonly used in grocery stores are allergens, skin irritants and nervous system poisons. Some also disrupt natural hormones, and have the potential to interfere with normal reproduction and development. Other ingredients such as solvents can also be carcinogens or nerve poisons. Recent research shows that in some indoor pesticide applications, air concentrations of organic solvents may peak 10-14 hours after the application.