A nurse cares for Nourhanne Ahmed, a premature baby girl, inside an incubator
IN PHOTO: A nurse cares for Nourhanne Ahmed, a premature baby girl, inside an incubator at a public hospital in the province of Sharkia, northeast of Cairo, June 10,2008. The Egyptian Health Ministry has complained over the lack of sufficient funds for public hospitals. REUTERS/Nasser Nuri (EGYPT)

New Zealand baby food allegedly contains almost 800 times more pesticides than European baby food. Advocates of food safety are calling for the same level of protection for Kiwi babies in New Zealand.

According to a press release by Safe Food Campaign, advocate Alice White and Dr Meriel Watts have submitted a report to the Primary Production Committee as part of a petition to put an end to pesticides in baby food. The oral submission was presented before the Parliament earlier in the year, the New Zealand Herald reports.

White said New Zealand needs to follow the lead of the European Union. Based on analysis of New Zealand baby food, three of the pesticides detected are "hazardous" for unborn babies and young children. She believes New Zealand babies must be protected just like the babies in Europe.

According to White, some of the pesticides that were found in baby food were identified as endocrine disruptors and carcinogens. She said even smaller doses of chemical generally known as toxic can affect normal human development.

In a statement, Safe Food Campaign revealed that a government study has found pesticide residues in 30 percent of New Zealand baby food. In the same analysis, a study of European baby food showed less than one percent or 0.04 percent of pesticide residue.

The last New Zealand Total Diet Survey in 2009 had 32 baby food samples which were tested for pesticide content. Five pesticides were discovered in the samples of New Zealand baby food. The study included the testing of formula, cereal-based food, fruit, custard and weaning food.

Watts from the Pesticide Action Network in Aotearoa warned that exposure to chemicals can cause a number of health problems. In babies, chemical exposure may affect their brain development, intelligence and the ability to socialise.

According to Food Safety Minister Jo Goodhew, New Zealand food safety system is "world class." He believes the country has a good system in place to get answers. He has promised to investigate on the matter. The Safe Food Campaign has urged the government to perform an extensive analysis of New Zealand baby food.