Pesticides on food ignite debate among Israelis

"Israelis eat fresh, and they eat local. But how healthy are these foods? A recent government study into pesticide use on Israeli produce has caused some alarm," reports Al Jazeera on Dec. 21.

The study found residues of pesticides on 56 percent of tested foods, and 11 percent of the food had more residue than is permitted.

Sarit Caspi-oron, an environmental scientist, said that studies have shown almost 100 percent of Israelis have "pesticide residues in their urine."

"Even the chief rabbinate is threatening to remove the kosher certificate from farmers who use too much pesticide," Al Jazeera reports.

The fact that Israelis eat a large amount of fresh produce makes the debate even more significant. A small, three-store grocery chain of organic food is expanding, but costs are also a concern among shoppers.

Watch the video, via Al Jazeera English, below.