[CANUFNET] Safety Testing of Fruits & Nuts/heavy metals + other contaminant testing.

[Andrea Dawber]

Dear Canufnet folks,

GreenHere has been using Andy Kenney's tree inventory in its taget  
area for the past 2 years, and there are almost 500 fruit trees - 
pears, plums, apricots, apples, serviceberries, peaches, cherries,  
walnuts, hackberry, butternut, etc.

Food security/hunger and nutrition issues for the local communities  
could be partially addressed through the creation of a community fruit  
& nut harvesting program. (25% of families live on incomes of less  
than $20k.)

However, the area is mixed industrial/residential with 3 railway  
corridors running through it.  Air and soil contamination is a concern  
with regards to the safety of fruit to be harvested from the area.

Does anyone have any experience with testing for industrial  
contaminants in fresh fruit and/or what are the threshhold limits for  
certain contaminants i.e. heavy metals like lead and mercury?

Any guidance or expert referrals that you may have with regards to  
ensuring the safety of food harvested and/or suggested tests to do  
would be most appreciated.

Yours truly,

Andrea Dawber
GreenHere Director
Tel. 416-656-8025 ext. 371; 403
www.greenhere.ca