CAMPAIGNERS sounded alarm bells yesterday after long-lasting toxins were found to be widespread in common fruits, vegetables and spices.

The Pesticide Action Network UK (Pan UK) analysed more than 3,300 samples of food and drink for PFAS chemicals, which are linked to severe health conditions.

PFAS — per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances — are known as “forever chemicals” as they can take centuries to break down in the environment.

Strawberries were the worst offender, with 95 per cent of 120 test samples containing the chemicals.

They were followed by 61 per cent of the 109 grape samples tested, 56 per cent of 121 cherry samples, and 38 per cent of 96 tomato samples.

Pan UK’s Nick Mole said: “Given the growing body of evidence linking PFAS to serious diseases such as cancer, it is deeply worrying that UK consumers are being left with no choice but to ingest these chemicals, some of which may remain in their bodies long into the future.”

The group is campaigning for the government to ban 25 PFAS currently in use in Britain, six of which are classified as highly hazardous.