Pesticides rarely exceed maximum levels
Feb 9, 2018 - Analytics
Pesticides rarely exceed maximum levels
Food produced in Germany and the EU rarely contains excessive pesticide residues. In 2016, exceedances of maximum residue limits were found in 1.7% (Germany) and 1.6% (other EU countries) of the examined products. Although this rate slightly increased compared to the previous year, it still confirms the low level of exceedances over the years. This is according to the "National Report on Pesticide Residues in Food 2016" published by the Federal Office of Consumer Protection and Food Safety (BVL).
The investigation results from the federal states show: In frequently consumed foods such as apples, carrots, potatoes, and popular seasonal products like strawberries or asparagus, exceedances of maximum residue limits have hardly been observed for years. In contrast, beans and fresh herbs regularly appear on the list of crops with the most exceedances (at least 100 samples) – as was the case in 2016. However, while the rate for beans (with pods) has significantly decreased (2015: 7.6%, 2016: 2.2%), it has remained at a high level for fresh herbs at 5.6% (2015: 6.0%). The negative leaders in exceedances in 2016 are wild mushrooms (12.4%) and currants (9.5%).
Frozen currants were subjected to increased monitoring in 2016 to determine differences in the contamination of fresh fruit versus frozen products. The contested samples of currants mostly consisted of frozen goods. Wild mushrooms (for pesticides and elements) were also increasingly examined in 2016. Notably, there were elevated levels of mercury, originating from the environment.
The most notable foods in 2016 came from the group Mukunuwenna (Alternanthera sessilis) and water spinach (Ipomea aquatica) from Sri Lanka and Thailand, respectively, with an exceedance rate of 56.5% (23 samples; including 13 exceedances). Overall, both are rather niche products. Both are amphibious plants, mainly consumed as leaf vegetables or salads and used for medicinal purposes in Asian and African cuisine.
In 54 out of 135 food groups (with at least ten samples), no exceedances of maximum residue limits were detected in any of the examined samples.
The maximum residue limit is the amount of pesticide residues that should not be exceeded if applied properly. An exceedance of a maximum residue limit does not necessarily imply a health risk for consumers.
Read the complete report from the BVL here.
In our Tentamus laboratories, we routinely conduct examinations for pesticide residues. We provide you with fast and reliable results.
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Source: BVL, www.bvl.bund.de