{"id":203019,"date":"2025-08-12T12:23:04","date_gmt":"2025-08-12T11:23:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.merieuxnutrisciences.com\/pesticide-residues-in-food\/"},"modified":"2025-08-12T14:18:45","modified_gmt":"2025-08-12T13:18:45","slug":"pesticide-residues-in-food","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.merieuxnutrisciences.com\/za\/pesticide-residues-in-food\/","title":{"rendered":"Pesticide Residues in Food"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Pesticides commonly refer to plant protection products<\/strong>. But the term also encompasses biocide products <\/strong>controlling pests and disease carriers like insects, rats, and mice, not intended for plant use.<\/p>\n\n

A pesticide is any substance that prevents<\/strong>, destroys<\/strong>, or manages harmful organisms<\/strong> or diseases<\/strong>, safeguarding plants or plant products throughout production<\/strong>, storage<\/strong>, and transport<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n

Under the umbrella of ‘pesticides’ are various types, including herbicides<\/strong>, fungicides<\/strong>, insecticides<\/strong>, acaricides<\/strong>, plant growth regulators<\/strong>, and repellents<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n

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According to the analysis of the RASFF data<\/strong> through Safety HUD<\/a> (a M\u00e9rieux NutriSciences solution designed to identify risks and food frauds worldwide), fruits and vegetables<\/a><\/strong> were the most impacted food products in 2023 <\/strong>with close to 1777 notified events<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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2023: 3116 alerts for pesticides<\/strong> (+3% vs. 2022)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Top 3 impacted food matrices in 2023:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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  1. Fruits & vegetables<\/strong> (1777 ; +3%)<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  2. Herbs & spices<\/strong> (629 ; +24%)<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  3. Cereals & Bakery products<\/strong> (245; + 28%)<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n
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    Concentrations of Pesticides and their Toxicity<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n
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    Maximum Residue Levels of Pesticides<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n

    The maximum residue level (MRL<\/strong>) is the highest legal concentration<\/strong> of a pesticide residue in food<\/strong> or feed. It is set in accordance with Regulation (EC) No 396\/2005<\/a>. The MRL is based on good agricultural practice<\/strong> and aims to ensure the lowest consumer exposure<\/strong>. This regulation also addresses official controls of pesticide residues in food of plant and animal origin arising from their use in plant protection.<\/p>\n\n

    In the EU, regulatory authorities have approved 476 active substances<\/strong>. They have established EU-harmonized MRLs for over 1,300 pesticides covering 378 food matrices. Frequent regulatory updates necessitate monitoring more metabolites.<\/p>\n\n

    To ensure the quality of pesticide analytical results<\/strong> within the EU, the SANTE\/12682\/2019<\/a> guidance document on Analytical Quality Control and Method Validation Procedures for Pesticide Residue Analysis in Food and Feed was published and periodically updated. This document outlines method validation<\/strong> and analytical quality control requirements<\/strong> to validate data used for checking compliance with MRLs, enforcement actions, or assessment of consumer exposure to pesticides in the EU.<\/p>\n\n

    Plant protection products cannot be marketed or used without prior authorization. Under Regulation (EC) No 1107\/2009<\/a>, EFSA evaluates active substances used in these products, while Member States evaluate and authorize the products at national level.<\/p>\n\n

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    Risk Assessment of Pesticide Residues<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n

    EFSA conducts risk assessments <\/strong>of MRLs of pesticides permitted in EU-market products of plant or animal origin.<\/p>\n\n

    EFSA provides scientific advice<\/strong> to the EC on potential risks related to pesticide residue presence in food and feed treated with plant protection products, and suggests MRLs<\/strong>. Additionally, it offers administrative <\/strong>and scientific support <\/strong>to the Panel on Plant Protection Products and their Residues (PPR Panel)<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n

    EFSA is responsible for peer reviewing the risk assessment of active substances used in EU plant protection products. It ensures their safety concerning human health, animal health, and environmental impact.<\/p>\n\n

    FAO<\/strong>, WHO<\/strong>, and EFSA<\/strong> collaborate to conduct several opinions, risk assessments, and studies to evaluate:<\/p>\n\n