Search Results (45)

Strawberries are among the most consumed fruits in Europe, but intensive cultivation requires frequent pesticide use, raising food safety concerns. This study evaluated pesticide residues and dietary risk in strawberries from the Agro Aversano area (Southern Italy). A total of 83 samples collected in 2023–2024 were analyzed using a validated QuEChERS-LC–MS/MS method targeting 850 active substances. Thirty-one pesticides were detected, predominantly fungicides, followed by acaricides and insecticides. Cyflumetofen and pyrimethanil were the most frequent residues, while compounds with low toxicological thresholds, including emamectin benzoate, lambda-cyhalothrin, acetamiprid, and tetraconazole, were also identified. Dietary risk assessment was conducted with the EFSA PRIMo model (v.3.1), focusing on the NL toddler subgroup. Despite occasional exceedances of European Maximum Residue Limits (MRLs), both acute and chronic exposures remained well below toxicological reference values (ADI and ARfD). Overall, the results indicate negligible health risks but highlight the relevance of cumulative exposure, underscoring the need for continuous monitoring and sustainable pest management practices to ensure strawberry safety. Full article

This study aimed to evaluate residue changes in flubendiamide and tebufenozide during the processing of whole grain into milled rice, cooked rice, and rice cake, and to calculate their processing factors (PFs). For the processing study, pesticides were applied at three times the recommended rate based on Korea’s good agricultural practice (GAP), and processed products were prepared using conventional methods. Residual pesticide analysis was performed using a modified QuEChERS method and LC-MS/MS. The residue analysis method was validated based on parameters including LOQ, linearity, and accuracy at the LOQ, 10LOQ, and MRL levels, with the LOQ set at 0.01 mg/kg for all samples. During milling, which removes the hull, more than 90% of the pesticide residues were eliminated. Additional reductions exceeding 50% were observed during cooking and rice cake processing. All PFs, except for those in the hulls, were less than 1, indicating that processing reduces pesticide levels. Despite the use of threefold the GAP rate, the %ADI values for all processed products remained below 1%, suggesting negligible dietary risk. These findings provide scientific evidence supporting the safety of processed rice products regarding pesticide residues and highlight the importance of considering processing effects in dietary exposure assessments. Full article

This study investigates the presence of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) in 165 yogurt samples collected from farms across 11 Lebanese regions. As the first nationwide assessment of these contaminants in yogurt, it addresses a critical gap in Lebanon’s food safety monitoring. Levels of PCBs, ΣDDTs, ΣHCH, HCB, endosulfan, methoxychlor, and dieldrin were quantified, revealing widespread contamination. A total of 40.6% of samples recorded total PCB concentrations exceeding European maximum residue limits (MRLs), with a national mean of 39.26 ng/g fat. Keserwan, and North and South Lebanon showed the highest PCB contamination, likely linked to thermal power generation activities. For OCPs, mean concentrations of all tested compounds exceeded their respective MRLs across all regions. Levels of ΣDDTs surpassed the MRL in 100% of samples with the highest mean concentration at 376.79 ng/g fat, followed by endosulfan (70.32 ng/g fat) and β-HCH (65.32 ng/g fat). Elevated OCP levels were especially noted in Bekaa, Baalbek-Hermel, and South and North Lebanon, likely reflecting intensive agricultural practices and the ongoing use of contaminants. Estimated daily intakes (EDIs) indicated potential dietary exposure risks, particularly from PCBs, ΣDDTs, and ΣHCH. These findings underscore the urgent need for regulatory oversight and national food safety monitoring to ensure public health protection. Full article

This study investigated pesticide residues in 580 vegetable samples collected from markets in Serbia, encompassing potatoes, carrots, celery, radishes, horseradish, ginger, onions, and leeks. In total, 33 distinct pesticides were detected using validated HPLC-MS/MS and GC-MS/MS analytical methods. Multiple residues were identified in 19 samples, while 29 samples exceeded established maximum residue levels (MRLs). Acute and chronic dietary risks were assessed for both adults and children. Although individual hazard quotients (HQs) for adults and children remained below the threshold of concern (HQ < 1), the cumulative acute risk reached up to 63.1% of the Acute Reference Dose (ARfD) for children and 51.1% ARfD for adults, with ginger and celery posing the highest risks. Similarly, cumulative chronic risks remained below the safety threshold, with the Acceptable Daily Intake (ADI) percentages reaching a maximum of 5.9% ADI for adults and increased vulnerability of 11.0% ADI among children. Monte Carlo simulations were applied to account for variability and uncertainty in chronic exposure estimates. The hazard index (HI) results showed that adverse health effects for both population groups remained within acceptable safety limits (HI < 1), although higher susceptibility was observed in children. Sensitivity analysis identified body weight and vegetable consumption rates as the most influential factors affecting chronic risk variability. Full article

Food safety concerns related to pesticide residues in fruits and vegetables have increased globally, particularly in regions where monitoring programs are scarce or inconsistent. This study provides the first multi-year evaluation of pesticide contamination and associated dietary risks in Cape Verde, an African island nation increasingly reliant on imported produce. A total of 570 samples of fruits and vegetables—both locally produced and imported—were collected from major markets across the country between 2017 and 2020 and analyzed using validated multiresidue methods based on gas chromatography coupled to Ion Trap mass spectrometry (GC-IT-MS/MS), and both gas and liquid chromatography coupled to triple quadrupole tandem mass spectrometry (GC-QqQ-MS/MS and LC-QqQ-MS/MS). Residues were detected in 63.9% of fruits and 13.2% of vegetables, with imported fruits showing the highest contamination levels and diversity of compounds. Although only one sample exceeded the maximum residue limits (MRLs) set by the European Union, 80 different active substances were quantified—many of them not authorized under the current EU pesticide residue legislation. Dietary exposure was estimated using median residue levels and real consumption data from the national nutrition survey (ENCAVE 2019), enabling a refined risk assessment based on actual consumption patterns. The cumulative hazard index for the adult population was 0.416, below the toxicological threshold of concern. However, when adjusted for children aged 6–11 years—taking into account body weight and relative consumption—the cumulative index approached 1.0, suggesting a potential health risk for this vulnerable group. A limited number of compounds, including omethoate, oxamyl, imazalil, and dithiocarbamates, accounted for most of the risk. Many are banned or heavily restricted in the EU, highlighting regulatory asymmetries in global food trade. These findings underscore the urgent need for strengthened residue monitoring in Cape Verde, particularly for imported products, and support the adoption of risk-based food safety policies that consider population-specific vulnerabilities and mixture effects. The methodological framework used here can serve as a model for other low-resource countries seeking to integrate analytical data with dietary exposure in a One Health context. Full article

Fruits and vegetables are crucial components of a healthy diet, which are susceptible to pests. Therefore, the application of pesticides is a basic manner of crop chemical protection. The aim of this study was a comprehensive analysis of pesticide occurrence in 1114 samples of fruits and vegetables. A unified multi-analytical protocol was used composed of primary–secondary amine/graphitized carbon black/magnesium sulfate to purify samples with diversified profile of interfering substances. Moreover, the obtained analytical data were used to evaluate the critical acute health risk in subpopulations of children and adults within European limits criteria. Out of 550 pesticides analyzed, 38 and 69 compounds were noted in 58.6% of fruits and 44.2% of vegetables, respectively. Acetamiprid (14.1% of all detections) and captan (11.3%) occurred the most frequently in fruits, while pendimethalin (10.6%) and azoxystrobin (8.6%) occurred the most frequently in vegetables. A total of 28% of vegetable and 43% of fruit samples were multiresidues with up to 13 pesticides in dill, reaching a final concentration of 0.562 mg kg⁻¹. Maximum residue level (MRL) was exceeded in 7.9% of fruits and 7.3% of vegetables, up to 7900% MRL for chlorpyrifos in dill (0.79 mg kg⁻¹). Notably, 8 out of 38 pesticides found in fruits (21%; 1.2% for carbendazim) and 24 out of 69 compounds in vegetables (35%, 7.4% for chlorpyrifos) were not approved in the EU. Concentrations of pesticides exceeding MRL were used to assess acute health risk for children and adults. Moreover, the incidence of acute health risk was proved for children consuming parsnip with linuron (156%). In other cases, it was below 100%, indicating that Polish food is safe. The work provides reliable and representative scientific data on the contamination of fruits and vegetables with pesticides. It highlights the importance of legislative changes to avoid the occurrence of not approved pesticides in the EU, increasing food and health safety. Full article

Guaranteeing food safety in the European Union (EU) is a continuing issue affected by diverse national traditions, regulatory power, and consumer culture. Despite the presence of a harmonized regulatory context, there continues to be variability in performance among the 27 member states. This study gives an extensive comparative evaluation of EU food safety based on three indicators: Rapid Alert System for Food and Feed (RASFF) alerts, pesticide maximum-residue-limit (MRL) violation, and per capita food loss. Fuzzy TOPSIS, K-means clustering, and scenario-based sensitivity tests are used to give an extensive appraisal of the performance of member states. Alarming differences are quoted as findings of significance. The highest number of RASFF notifications (212) and percentage of pesticide MRL non-compliance (1.5%) were reported in 2022 by Bulgaria, whereas the lowest values were reported by Estonia and Lithuania—15–20 RASFF notifications and less than 0.6% MRL violation rates. A statistically significant correlation (r = 0.72, p < 0.001) between pesticide MRL violation and food safety warnings was confirmed in favor of pesticide regulation as the optimal predictor of food safety warnings. On the other hand, food loss did not significantly affect safety measures but indicated very high variation (from 76 kg/capita per year in Croatia to 142 kg/capita per year in Greece). These findings suggest that while food loss remains an environmental problem, pesticide control is more central to the protection of food safety. Targeted policy is what the research necessitates: intervention and stricter enforcement in low-income countries, and diffusion of best practice from successful states. The composite approach adds to EU food safety policy discourse through the combination of performance indicators and targeted regulatory emphasis. Full article

The evolution of global agriculture encourages the extensive use of pesticides although significant concerns regarding their impact on human health and the environment must be considered. The present paper highlights the presence and concentrations of various pesticide residues in fruits and vegetables available on Romanian markets. A total of 74 pesticide compounds authorized for agricultural use were identified and quantified in 620 randomly selected samples spanning a wide range of horticultural products by employing the QuEChERS extraction method and liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). The most often detected pesticides comprised boscalid and azoxystrobin, present in 42% and 37% of apple and strawberry samples, respectively, with mean concentrations of 0.12 mg/kg and 0.09 mg/kg. In cucumbers and tomatoes, difenoconazole and acetamiprid were predominant, detected in 35% and 40% of samples, with average residue amounts of 0.08 mg/kg and 0.07 mg/kg, respectively. Statistical analysis, achieved with Python 3.13.2, the pandas library (alongside descriptive statistics), and ANOVA, revealed significant variations in residue levels based on the product type and geographic origin. Boscalid and azoxystrobin were commonly encountered in apples and strawberries while difenoconazole and acetamiprid predominated in cucumbers and tomatoes. Even though the majority of pesticide residues conformed to EU maximum residue limits (MRLs), about 6% of samples, generally from imported products, displayed some residue concentrations approaching critical thresholds, with the highest exceedance observed for chlorpyrifos and lambda-cyhalothrin at concentrations of up to 0.25 mg/kg. This research provides a comprehensive overview of pesticide residues prevalence in Romania’s fresh product supply while, at the same time, supporting consumer awareness initiatives and evidencing the critical demand for continuous monitoring and strengthened regulatory frameworks for food safety. Full article

This study investigates the effect of high urban land temperatures on pesticide residue (PR) accumulation in cabbage and lettuce and on public health in the Greater Accra Metropolitan Area (GAMA) in Ghana. A comparative toxicological analysis regarding the food system was conducted with 66 farmers across three land surface temperatures: low (Atomic, n = 22), moderate (Ashaiman, n = 22), and high (Korle-Bu, n = 22). Pesticide residue concentrations were assessed using an ANOVA to examine spatial variations across sites. The results indicate a strong correlation between high land surface temperatures and pesticide residue accumulation, with lettuce recording significantly (p < 0.05) higher PR levels than cabbage. Several pesticides, including carbendazim (CBZ), Imidacloprid (IMI), Thiamethoxam (TMX), and Chlorpyrifos (CHL), exceeded the maximum residue limits (MRLs) set by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the European Union (EU) at moderate and high-temperature sites. carbendazim was the dominant pesticide detected, with a concentration of 19.0 mg/kg in lettuce, which far exceeded its maximum residue limit (MRL) of 0.10 mg/kg across all study sites. Statistical analyses (PERMANOVA) confirmed that land surface temperatures and pesticide types significantly influenced the PR concentrations. Public health risk assessments indicate that children are more vulnerable to pesticide exposure than adults. The toxicity hazard quotient (THQ) for organophosphate pesticides, particularly CHL and Dimethoate (DMT), exceeded safe thresholds at moderate and high-temperature sites. Full article

The popularity of small-scale and local fruit and vegetable production has increased in recent years due to perceived economic, environmental, and social benefits. However, these operations face contamination risks that both consumers and small-scale producers may underestimate. The present study aimed to assess the microbiological and chemical hazards on fruit, vegetables, soil, and water samples from small-scale farms in north-western Portugal during pre-harvest activities. Additionally, the study investigated farmers’ non-compliance with food safety regulations and good agricultural practices (GAPs), exploring how their behaviour might contribute to the identified hazards. A before-and-after analysis of non-compliant behaviours was conducted to determine the impact of training on improving food safety practices. The analysis identified the presence of pathogenic bacteria, pesticides, flame retardant residues, nitrates, and heavy metals. Lead (Pb) concentrations exceeded EU limits in organic carrots from one producer (0.156 ± 0.043 mg/kg) and in chard from another (0.450 ± 0.126 mg/kg). Cadmium (Cd) levels were also above regulatory thresholds in bell peppers (0.023 ± 0.009 mg/kg) and organic tomatoes (0.026 ± 0.015 mg/kg) from two different producers. Elevated levels of heavy metals were detected in irrigation water from two sites, with zinc (Zn) at 0.2503 ± 0.0075 mg/L and Pb at 0.0218 ± 0.0073 mg/L. Among food samples, the most prevalent microorganisms were Pseudomonas spp. (88.2%), Bacillus cereus (76.5%), and aerobic mesophilic bacteria (100%). Phosphorus flame retardants (PFRs), particularly tris(2-butoxyethyl) phosphate (TBEP), were detected in all food and soil samples. Some EU-banned pesticides were detected in food and soil samples, but at levels below the maximum residue limits (MRLs). Chlorpyrifos (35.3%) and p,p’-DDD (23.5%) were the most detected pesticides in food samples. After the training, GAP behaviour improved, particularly that related to hygiene. However, issues related to record-keeping and soil and water analyses persisted, indicating ongoing challenges in achieving full compliance. Full article

The concentrations of pesticide residues were determined in 2164 samples of 46 fruit species, collected over a 4-year period. Fruits originated from 59 countries, including Serbia (N = 199). Pesticide residues were determined by liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) after extraction using a modified QuEChERS protocol. A total of 173 pesticide residues were detected. Of the fruit samples, 62.57% had pesticide residues at or above 0.01 mg/kg, and 4.67% exceeded the maximum residue limits (MRLs) set by the Serbian regulation. MRL values were most often exceeded in pomegranate and citrus fruits (grapefruit and mandarin). The most frequently found pesticide was imazalil (detected in 624 samples, 28.84%), with the highest concentration (93.870 mg/kg) found in a grapefruit sample. Multiple pesticides were detected in 50.92% of the fruit samples, and two grapefruit samples contained up to 44 pesticide residues. Full article

Pesticide residues in food are a global concern due to their potential impacts on human health and the environment. This study investigates pesticide residues in vegetables commonly consumed in Egypt, utilizing advanced analytical techniques such as Liquid Chromatography–Tandem Mass Spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) and Gas Chromatography–Tandem Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS/MS). A total of 4200 vegetable samples, including cucumber, squash, eggplant, okra, peas, onion, green onion, parsley, lettuce, and cantaloupe, were collected from 20 markets across different Egyptian governorates between 2018 and 2021. The analysis revealed that 42% of the samples contained pesticide residues, with only 13% of the analyzed samples exceeding the maximum residue limits (MRLs) established by Codex/EU-MRL standards. Despite this, the estimated daily intake (EDI) of the detected pesticides did not surpass acceptable daily intake (ADI) limits, suggesting no immediate chronic health risks to consumers. These findings highlight Egypt’s ongoing commitment to food safety, while also underscoring the importance of continuous monitoring and the promotion of sustainable agricultural practices to ensure the long-term safety and quality of the food supply. Full article

Pesticide residues in human diets pose significant health hazards, particularly for vulnerable populations such as infants and children. This study aimed to determine pesticide residues in apples and to assess the cumulatively chronic risk posed to adult and child consumers from simultaneous exposure to multiple residues. During the 2022–2023 harvest seasons, 100 apple samples from Turkey were analyzed for the presence of 225 different pesticide residues. Pesticide extraction was performed using the QuEChERS method, followed by detection through liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry. Fifteen distinct pesticides (ten insecticides and five fungicides) were detected in 64 out of the 100 apple samples analyzed. Eleven samples contained pesticide residues that exceeded the maximum residue limit (MRL) set by the Turkish Food Codex and the European Union. Thiophanate-methyl was the most frequently detected pesticide (34%) in apples, with concentrations ranging from 0.012 to 0.108 mg kg⁻¹, all of which were well below the MRL of 0.5 mg kg⁻¹. Other commonly detected residues included chlorantraniliprole (28%), acetamiprid (24%), sulfoxaflor (22%), bifenazate (18%), indoxacarb (13%), diflubenzuron (12%), and carbendazim (10%). Under a worst-case scenario, the hazard index (HI) values for adults and children were 0.85% and 2.60%, respectively, indicating that these values remain significantly below the risk threshold of 100%, suggesting no associated health risks from apple consumption. However, regular monitoring of pesticide residues in fresh fruits and vegetables remains critically important. Full article

To prevent pesticides from exceeding maximum residue limits (MRLs) in crops during export and shipment, it is necessary to manage residue levels during the pre-harvest stages. Therefore, the Republic of Korea establishes pre-harvest residue limits (PHRLs) per crop and pesticide. This study was conducted to set PHRLs for penthiopyrad and tebufenpyrad in angelica leaves, where the exceedance rates of MRLs are expected to be high. The LOQ of the analytical method used was 0.01 mg/kg and it demonstrated good linearity, with a correlation coefficient of 0.999 or higher within the quantitation range of 0.005 to 0.5 mg/kg. The recovery and storage stability accuracy values were in the range of 94.5–111.1%, within the acceptable range (70–120%, RSD ≤ 20%). The matrix effect for both pesticides was in the medium-to-strong range, and it did not significantly impact the quantitative results as a matrix-matched calibration method was employed. Using the validated method, residue concentrations of penthiopyrad 20 (%) EC and tebufenpyrad 10 (%) EC were analyzed. Both pesticides exhibited a decreasing residue trend over time. In Fields 1–3 and their integrated results, the biological half-life was within 2.6–4.0 days for penthiopyrad and 3.0–4.2 days for tebufenpyrad. The minimum value of the regression coefficient in the dissipation curve regression equation was selected as the dissipation constant. The selected dissipation constants for penthiopyrad in Fields 1–3 and their integration were 0.1221, 0.2081, 0.2162, and 0.1960. For tebufenpyrad, the dissipation constants were 0.1451, 0.0960, 0.1725, and 0.1600, respectively. The dissipation constant was used to calculate PHRL per field. Following the principles of the PHRL proposal process, residue levels (%) on PHI dates relative to MRLs were calculated, and fields for proposing PHRLs were selected. For penthiopyrad, since the residue level (%) was less than 20%, the PHRL for Field 3 with the largest dissipation constant was proposed. For tebufenpyrad, as the residue level (%) exceeded 80%, the PHRL proposal could not established. It is deemed necessary to reassess the MRL and ‘guidelines for safe use’ for tebufenpyrad in angelica leaves. Full article

The aim of this study is to develop a rapid and accurate method for simultaneous analysis of multi-residue pesticides and conduct pesticide monitoring in agricultural products produced by the production and distribution stage in Korea. The representative agricultural products were selected as brown rice, soybean, potato, mandarin, and green pepper and developed using gas chromatography with tandem mass (GC-MS/MS) for the analysis of 272 pesticide residues. The experimental samples were extracted by the QuEChERS-EN method and then cleaned up by using d-SPE, including MgSO₄ and primary secondary amine (PSA) sorbents. The established method was validated in accordance with Codex CAC-GL/40, and the limit of quantitation (LOQ) was determined to be 0.01 mg/kg. A total of 243 pesticides satisfied the guidelines in five samples at three levels with values of 60 to 120% (recovery) and ≤45% (coefficient of variation, CV). The remaining 29 pesticides did not satisfy the guidelines, and these pesticides are expected to be used as a screening method for the routine inspection of agricultural products. As a result of analyzing 223 agricultural products in South Korea by applying the simultaneous analysis method, none of the detected levels in the samples exceeded the standard values based on maximum residue limits (MRLs). The developed method in this study will be used to inspect residual pesticides in agricultural products, and it is anticipated to contribute to the distribution of safe agricultural products to consumers. Full article