*5.2.4. Wild-grown berries*

In 1986, the State Laboratory Basel-City analysed approximately 30 berry samples from Switzerland. Strawberries showed a quite low activity (2.7 Bq/kg radiocaesium), whereas currants, raspberries, elderberries, and gooseberries showed significantly higher activities (51±27 Bq/kg). The reason is that strawberries are cultivated in greenhouses, in the shelter. Only in 2009 was our focus set on blueberries and other wild-grown berries. These products are imported in big charges of tons from East European countries, such as Ukraine, Poland, Russia or Hungary. From 16 analysed samples, we registered eight violations because of too high activities of radiostrontium. In the following years, we analysed more than 100 samples with 10 further violations for products from Austria, Ukraine, or Poland. The products were blueberries and blueberry products, such as marmalades. Violations were mostly because of radiostrontium (>1 Bq/kg) and radiocaesium (>100 Bq/kg) [45]. Wild berries grow in woods. The soil is more acid and promotes the uptake of the contaminants. Because of the cycle soilplant-soil, the residues in the plants are reduced only slowly compared to berries grown on farmland.

### **5.3. Vegetables and fruit**
