The European Food Safety Authority EFSA has released a new report with analytic data of residues contaminants in fresh produce in EU member states. According to the report, 97.2% of the 84,341 samples analysed in 2015 were free of quantifiable residues or contained residues within the legally permitted levels.
In 2.8% of the samples, the residue levels exceeded the MRLs (2,366 samples). Taking into account the measurement uncertainty, 1.6% of the samples (1,346 samples) clearly exceeded these legal limits (non-compliance) triggering legal or administrative actions by competent authorities. The results of 2015 are comparable with the previous year (2014: 97.1% of samples within the legal limits; 53.6% free of quantifiable residues).
According to the findings, the highest MRL exceedance rate was identified for broccoli (3.4% of the samples), followed by table grapes (1.7%), sweet peppers (0.8%), peas without pods (0.6%), wheat (0.6%), aubergines (0.4%) and bananas (0.3%). Rare MRL exceedances were found for processed plant products (i.e. olive oil and orange juice) and chicken eggs.
The data were analysed with a view to identifying pesticides and food products that exceeded the legal limits. It also contains the findings on pesticide residues in imported food, organic products, baby food as well as results for animal products.
Based on the analysis of the 2015 pesticide monitoring results, EFSA derived a number of recommendations to increase the efficiency of the European control systems to ensure a high level of consumer protection.