Isn't nature's way safer?

In certain cases, crops that aren't sprayed with pesticides generate their own natural poison as a defence mechanism to protect themselves against diseases. These 'natural' toxins can be harmful to man too. Before food regulations were introduced a century ago, food was frequently contaminated by microorganisms, such as fungi, which produce poisons often harmful to man.

Crops are continuously attacked by thousands of species of weeds, plant diseases, insects, worms, fungi, moulds, viruses, bacteria and other microorganisms. These pests and diseases have caused epidemics and crisises in Europe. For example, late blight caused the Potato famine in Ireland in the 18th century and powdery mildew in French grapes in 1954 reduced wine production by 75%.