**7. Acknowlegements**

The readiness of the staff of CODAPEC, Research and HI-TECH Divisions of COCOBOD, Accra, and the Cocoa Research Institute of Ghana at Tafo, to assist during the data collection stage was commendable and is hereby acknowledged.

## **8. References**


Akrofi, A.Y., Baah, F.(Eds) Proceedings of the 5th INCOPED International Seminar on Cocoa Pests and Diseases, International

 Permanent Working Group for Cocoa Pests and Diseases (INCOPED) Secretariat, Cocoa Research Institute, Tafo, Ghana

accepted, and it is hoped that the judicious use of pesticides will be accepted as an integral part of pest management strategy. Technologies are presently available for the safe use of pesticides in cocoa and awareness of their correct and proper use needs to be stimulated (Bateman, 2008). However, introducing Good Agricultural Practices to the more than three million (often illiterate) smallholder farmers in the world cocoa economy is a major

The clear indications are that the current agricultural practices for cocoa production are not sustainable, from both the environmental and economic perspective. Continued increase in the costs and amounts of chemicals put into the environment does not portend well for the future of this cash crop. The study has shown that current pests and diseases control practices in Ghanaian cocoa production which rely primarily on chemical methods, though well administered, results in more environmental damage. In the long term integrated pest management (IPM), which encourages natural control of pest populations, promises to reduce the use of pesticides. Some of the techniques used in this approach include enhancing natural enemies, planting pest-resistant crops, and, when absolutely necessary,

Pesticides continue to be attractive to most farmers and governments because they are simple to use, compared to the IPM methods, and returns on investments are not only good, but are predictable. A switch to IPM must be preceded by careful planning, and intensive education and training at the farm level, along with continuing research. In addition, promoting IPM will definitely require adjusting those subsidies and policies that encourage extensive pesticide use; otherwise farmers may not be able to resist the temptation of going

The readiness of the staff of CODAPEC, Research and HI-TECH Divisions of COCOBOD, Accra, and the Cocoa Research Institute of Ghana at Tafo, to assist during the data collection

Abankwah, V.; Aidoo, R.; Osei, R.K (2010).: Socio-Economic Impact of Government Spraying

Acquaah, B. (1999): Cocoa Development in West Africa (The Early Period with particular

Adjinah, K.O. and Opoku, I.Y. (2010): The National Cocoa Diseases and Pest Control

Afoakwa, E.O. (2008): Cocoa and chocolate consumption- Are there aphrodisiac and other

Appiah, M. R. (2004): Impact of Cocoa Research Innovations on Poverty Alleviation in Ghana. Ghana Academy of Arts and Sciences Publication. pp1, 17-19. Akrofi, A.Y., Baah, F.(Eds) Proceedings of the 5th INCOPED International Seminar on Cocoa

Permanent Working Group for Cocoa Pests and Diseases (INCOPED) Secretariat,

reference to Ghana), Ghana Universities Press, Accra, Ghana

benefits for human health? S. Afr J Clin Nutr, 21 (3) 107-113

Programme on Cocoa Farmers in Ghana, Journal of Sustainable Development in

(CODAPEC): Achievements and Challenges myjoyonline - Myjoyonline.com

challenge. Ghana is making some strides in this area.

stage was commendable and is hereby acknowledged.

Africa (Volume 12, No.4, 2010)

Feature Article, Wed, 28 Apr 2010

Pests and Diseases, International

Cocoa Research Institute, Tafo, Ghana

efficient and judicious use of pesticides.

back to their old ways.

**7. Acknowlegements** 

**8. References** 

Aryeetey, E. (2007) (Ed). State of the Ghanaian Economy, 2007; Report of the Institute of Social, Statistical and Economic Research, ISSER, UG, Legon, Ghana


**5** 

 *Netherlands* 

**Industrial Contaminants and Pesticides in Food Products** 

*1RIKILT – Institute of Food Safety,* 

Ruud Peters1, Henry Beeltje2 and Marc Houtzager2

*2TNO Built Environment and Geosciences, Environment, Health and Safety,* 

In our modern world a large number of man-made chemicals are being used. As a consequence their widespread presence in the environment is becoming increasingly well documented (Vethaak et al, 2002; Peters et al., 2008). They are found in a vast range of consumer products and include plasticizers, emulsifiers, flame retardants, perfluorinated compounds, artificial musks and organotin compounds. While they have undoubtedly improved the quality of our lives, a consequence of their intensive use is a widespread presence in the environment. Human exposure to these compounds may be through contact with consumer products containing such chemicals as additives, but also through food products. Since many of these compounds have a lipophilic nature there is a potential for bio-accumulation through the food chain especially in products with a high fat content. This is reflected in the presence of persistent organic compounds such as organochlorine pesticides and polychlorinated biphenyls that can be found in food products although there use has been seized many years ago. Many of these compounds have also been found in human blood indicating that humans are exposed to these chemicals (CDC, 2001, 2003; Guenther et al., 2002). This exposure may be through different routes. One is the use of these chemicals as additives in consumer products such as carpets, curtains, toys and electronic equipment. The exposure of these chemicals in house dust indicates the potential for human exposure. Another route for human exposure is, of course, through food products. Since many of these compounds have a lipophilic nature, they can be bio-accumulated through the food chain especially in products with a high fat content. This study focused on the presence and concentrations of a number of typical man-made chemicals in food products that many of use daily. The chemicals considered in this study are: brominated flame retardants (BFR's), phthalates, artificial musks, alkylphenols (AP's), organochlorine pesticides (OCP's), polychlorobiphenyls (PCB's), organotin compounds (OT's) and

All samples, mostly fresh food products were purchased in regular shops in nine European countries including the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, Germany, Finland, Sweden,

**1. Introduction** 

perfluorinated compounds (PFC's).

**2.1 Sampling and sample pre-treatment** 

**2. Methods and materials** 

