'Pesticide cocktails' pollute apples across Europe; 'Forever chemicals' could cost Europe up to 1.7 tn euros by 2050by AFP Staff WritersBrussels, Belgium (AFP) Jan 29, 2026Environmental groups Thursday raised the alarm after finding toxic "pesticide cocktails" in apples sold across Europe, in a new study highlighting widespread contamination. Eighty?five percent of the samples contained multiple pesticide residues, the organisations said, with some apples showing traces of up to seven different chemicals. Pesticide residues are permitted in the EU below certain maximum levels. But PAN Europe warned of the "cocktail effect," when consumers are exposed to several pesticides simultaneously in a single product. 'Forever chemicals' could cost Europe up to 1.7 tn euros by 2050: reportBrussels, Belgium (AFP) Jan 29, 2026 - The continued use of "forever chemicals" could cost Europe up to 1.7 trillion euros ($2 trillion) by 2050 because of their impact on people's health and the environment, an EU-commissioned report said Thursday.