19/07/2010

The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has published its Annual Report on Pesticide Residues, which analyses data submitted by the different Member States and two EFTA states based on official European and national control programmes during 2008, whilst at the same time assessing the exposure of European consumers to these residues through their diets.

Results at EU level

Below are some of the most significant data arising from the study:

• More than 70,000 samples of approximately 200 different types of food were analysed for pesticide residues.
• The monitoring methods used by EU Member State laboratories meant it was possible to detect up to 862 different pesticides.
• 96.5% of the samples analysed comply with the maximum residue levels (MRLs) of pesticides permitted for food products in the EU.
• 3.5 % of analysed samples exceeded the legal Maximum Residue Levels. In 2007, the percentage was 4.2 % of samples.
• More pesticide residues exceeding the MRLs were found in food imported from countries outside the European Union (7.6%) than in samples originating in the EU (2.4%).
• The percentage of samples free of pesticide residues has increased in comparison with previous years (62.1% compared to 52% in 2005, 54% in 2006 and 58% in 2007).
• Out of 2,062 samples of baby food, 76 contained traces of pesticides and the legal limit was exceeded in only 4 samples (0.2%). European legislation in this area is very restrictive and allows no more than 0.01 mg/kg of any single pesticide residue.
• Concerning organic products, MRLs were exceeded less frequently than for conventional products (0.9% of organic fruit and vegetable samples compared to 3.5% in the case of conventional products). However, in the EU there are no specific MRLs for organic products; the same MRLs apply as for conventional products.

Results in Spain

In the case of Spain, within the framework of this programme, a total of 6353 samples were analysed in 2008 (6227 in routine surveillance sampling originating from the three existing sub-programmes “origin”, “market” and “imports”; and 126 samples from targeted enforcement monitoring due to suspicions arising from previous violations).

In line with the EU level results, 96.5% of the samples taken in Spain comply with the MRLs set, and as a result are safe for consumption, with a fluctuation of 96.1% for fruit and vegetables and 100% for baby food.

Of the 122 samples of processed food, residues were found in 22%, but none exceeded the MRL. Of the 234 samples of baby food, 100% met the requirements, with no residue being detected.

For further information consult:

http://www.aesan.msps.es/en/AESAN/docs/docs/control_oficial/planes_nacionales_especificos/Resultado_2008_plaguicidas.pdf

Risk assessment of results obtained

The EFSA Pesticide Risk Assessment Peer Review Unit, which prepared the report for the second year, stressed that the presence of pesticide residues in foods, even when an MRL is exceeded as in some cases, does not necessarily imply that this is a food safety concern. This is due to the special EU MRL setting procedure, whereby MRLs cannot be considered Toxicological Limits.

To assess the risk to consumers, EFSA estimated a chronic exposure to pesticides (long-term) in the most important foods making up the European diet, and an acute exposure (short-term) for nine food commodities which were monitored in 2008 as part of the coordinated EU programme. In both cases, EFSA used a conservative approach in estimating exposure, that is, the worst case scenario approach, taking into account vulnerable population groups such as children, vegetarians, etc.

In the case of long-term exposure, EFSA concluded in its report that none of the pesticides assessed represents a health risk. However, in assessing short-term exposure, and assuming the intake of large quantities of foods with the highest levels of residue detected in the programme, a potential consumer risk cannot be ruled out in the case of 35 pesticide/commodity combinations. For 11 of these combinations the European Commission has already withdrawn their authorisation or has lowered existing MRLs.

For more information the full EFSA report can be consulted at the following internet address

http://www.efsa.europa.eu/en/press/news/praper100712.htm