April 30, 2026, 20:15 GMT
Decades of lax regulation have allowed cadmium, a toxic heavy metal, to seep into French soils and crops, creating what experts call a “public health time bomb.” The contamination stems largely from industrial emissions and phosphate fertilizers, with cadmium accumulating in farmland and entering the food chain through cereals and vegetables. Scientists warn of long-term risks including kidney damage, bone fragility, and cancer, while environmental groups accuse successive governments of ignoring the issue despite repeated alarms. The scandal has sparked calls for stricter monitoring, soil remediation programs, and a national strategy to protect consumers and farmers from ongoing exposure.
(Source – France 24)
—Agencies
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