Report on the Organic Monitoring Program of Baden-Württemberg 2016
The Federal State of Baden-Württemberg has been conducting a special monitoring program on organically produced foods since 2002. This monitoring is associated with Baden-Württemberg’s overall concept of promoting organic farming. Organic products are systematically tested for residues and contaminants, as well as other relevant issues. The goal of the organic monitoring program is to prevent fraud by better tracking down cases of improper labeling in this fast expanding market and to strengthen consumers’ confidence in the quality of organically produced foods.
Analytical Results from Organic Food Investigations
The following issues were addressed in an extended version of the organic monitoring report 2016 (published in German)
- genetically modified organisms in maize, soy and honey: Hans-Ulrich Waiblinger, CVUA Freiburg
- origin and authenticity of milk and eggs (organic or conventional?): Dr. Eva Annweiler, CVUA Freiburg
- residues from pesticides and specific contaminants in plant-based-foods: Marc Wieland, Alexander Lemke and Ellen Scherbaum, CVUA Stuttgart
The organic food control program is coordinated and organized by CVUA Stuttgart and supplements that of food processing. EU legislation on organic farming establishes the rules and forms the core of organic controls.
In 2002 investigations were limited to pesticide residues. However, the range of analysis has steadily expanded year by year, with ever new priorities and topics such as genetically modified organisms and irradiation in unprocessed plant foods being added. Increasingly, animal-based and processed products, dietary supplements and non-food products such as natural cosmetics and textiles / clothing items have also been added to the monitoring program. In all, around 13,000 organic foods, natural cosmetics and eco - textiles have been analyzed and compared with those from conventional production over the past 15 years. In addition to the status survey regarding contamination of organic food with, for example, residues of pesticides and contaminants (e.g. dioxins, PCB, perchlorate, biocides, etc.), organic monitoring has also made an important contribution to the elucidation of possible causes of contamination in, e.g., the cultivation (drift, culture substrate) and processing (cross-contamination) of organic food, as well as the detection of fraud due to mislabeled organic products. Furthermore, over the years the elucidation of entry routes and paths occurring naturally or as an unintended application has come more and more in focus.
15 Years of Organic Monitoring
| 1993 | Reg. (EC) No. 2092/91 for organic farming becomes effective |
| 1999 | Establishment of standards for organic livestock production |
| 2001 | Introduction of a national organic label |
| 2002 |
 Start of organic monitoring in Baden-Württemberg Evidence of organic teas treated with ionised radiation |
| 2003 | 23 % of organic honey contains antibiotics |
| 2004 | Model trial conducted in cereal mill on the spread of pesticides |
| 2005 | Chlormequat (stalk-reducing substance) found in straw of cultured mushrooms |
| 2006 | Chlorpropham in organic potatoes: contamination caused by processing methods |
| 2007 | Animal feed without medicinal residues for 4th year in a row |
| 2008 | Tracking down the unauthorized use of mineral nitrogen fertilizer Acrylamide: Bad marks for organic chips! No more reports for violations regarding pesticides in Italian organic carrots |
| 2009 | New EU Organic Regulations become effective Natural cosmetics in sight: only one sample contains increased amounts of germs Organic linseeds spared genetic engineering! |
| 2010 |
 All 24 organic sweets free of artificial colours! |
| 2011 | Organic boiled sausages microbiologically stable, including those without nitrite curing salt Filtration trial at the State Viticulture Institute in Freiburg – tracking of contaminants found in organic wines |
| 2012 | High rates of violations for organic bananas due to the biocide DDAC Special program on organic tomatoes – anomalies found regarding use of mineral fertilizers |
| 1013 | New field of investigation: organic textiles / textiles made from organic cotton Phosphonic acid, chlorate and perchlorate – search for pathways into fresh fruit and vegetables |
| 2014 | GMO seldom found in organic foods overall Analytical differentiation between organically and conventionally produced milk is possible |
| 2015 | New in focus: tropane alkaloids in cereal products and pyrrolizidine alkaloids in tea FVO audit at CVUA Stuttgart to assess the monitoring of pesticide residues in organic products – successfully passed! |
| 2016 |
 Change of organic label for products made in Baden-Württemberg |
| ... |
Following is a translation of the topic “Residues from pesticides and specific contaminants in plant-based-foods”.
Residues of Pesticides and Specific Contaminants in Plant-Based Foods
In 2016 a total of 445 samples of plant-based foods from organic cultivation were analyzed for residues of plant protection substances and contaminants.
Fresh Foods
As in previous years, fresh organic fruit and vegetables performed significantly better in 2016 than conventionally produced products. There were no detectable pesticide residues in about 65 % of the organically grown samples (approx. 60 % in 2015; 52 % in 2014; and 60 to 70 % in 2013 and earlier). The percentage of samples containing residues of multiple pesticides was 19 %, the same as in 2015 and just under that in 2014 (19 % in 2015; 21 % in 2014; 12 % in 2013; and 10 % in 2012).
Info Box
Expansion of the Investigative Spectrum and Evaluation of the Data
This year, as in the previous four years, the QuPPe method was routinely used on all samples in order to detect very polar substances that the QuEChERS multi-method cannot capture. Representatives of this group include, among others, fosetyl, phosphonic acid, chlorate and perchlorate.
The expansion of the investigative spectrum is responsible for the increase in samples found with residues and multiple - residues over the last few years. To enable the comparison of investigative results for individual years in the future, only specifically chosen, purely chemical / synthetic pesticides, not contaminants, will be included in the evaluation.
The following substances are listed separately:
- Substances authorized for use in organic farming: azadirachtin, piperonyl butoxide, pyrethrum, rotenone, and spinosad (see Excursus)
- Fosetyl / phosphonic acid: found in fertilizers and fungicides, long retention time of phosphonic acid in plants / shrubs (see Info Box)
- Chlorate, perchlorate: different modes of entry possible (see Info Box).
The following substances are not considered:
- Substances occurring naturally in plants: gibberellic acid and other plant hormones (abscisic acid, jasmonic acid, etc.)
- Bromide: can originate geogenically; amounts < 5 mg/kg assessed as „natural“ amoun
The detected residues were mostly in trace amounts (< 0.01 mg/kg), considerably lower than concentrations usually found in a harvest where pesticides were used. All in all, the rate of violations in fresh, organically produced foods has stabilized at a low level over the last few years, and has dropped significantly since the beginning of the organic monitoring program more than 15 years ago. In 2016 no fruit samples and just three vegetable samples (dill, parsley, and kale, all from Germany) were judged to have been falsely labeled organic, due to the detection of increased levels of pesticide residues. The rate of violations in this reporting year was therefore 0 % for organic fruit and 1.9 % for organic vegetables. For organic fruit in the years from 2011 to 2015 the rate was between 1.2 and 5.0 %, and for vegetables it was 0 to 3.1 %.
The overall violation rate for earlier years was always well under 5 %; 1.1 % in 2016 and between 1.0 and 4.2 % from 2010 to 2015. The numbers before 2010 were significantly higher, as high as 8.5 %. In this reporting year, as in previous years, there was neither any accumulation of violations for fresh organic ware, nor any other irregularities in single cultures detected.
In the years before 2009 there were intermittent anomalies found: herbicides in broccoli and carrots from Italy, the fungicidal substance fosetyl in cucumbers, surface treatment substances and acaricides in citrus fruits, and sprout inhibitors in potatoes.
Processed Foods
The rate of violations among processed foods in this reporting year was 5.5 %, five times higher than the rate for fresh fruit and vegetables (1.1 %). This rate was between 2.6 % and 3.5 % over the past four years (2012 to 2015), thereby significantly lower than in 2011 (8.1 %) and in 2011 (9 %). However, one must consider that the focus on particular processed organic products changes from year to year and that short - term projects are carried out on this product group, which has only recently come into sharper focus. Therefore, the comparability of violation rates from year to year and over the entire course of the organic monitoring program is limited.
Anomalies among the processed foods analyzed in 2016 were evident in “organic” nutritional supplements. In six of the 11 analyzed samples (55 %) barley grass, wheat grass and Moringa powder were judged to be fraudulent due to false organic labeling, as they contained excessively high levels of residues. In the previous year there were also two conspicuous samples of Moringa (from India). When making a judgment regarding the amounts of residues in processed foods, valid processing factors for the specific substances must be considered, because the processing of the original product can lead to an increase or decrease of residues (see Info Box regarding processing factors).
Info Box
Consideration of Processing Factors
As a rule, Regulation (EC) No. 396/2005 stipulates the maximum levels of plant protection substance residues for unprocessed foods. The amount of pesticide residues in and on unprocessed foods can change as a result of processing factors, however. Guidelines provided by this regulation take into account changes in pesticide residues (caused during the manufacturing of, e.g., dried fruits, conserves, wine and bread) in the form of processing factors, and are thus to be followed when making a legal determination of residue amounts in processed foods. In a few cases it is impossible to make a final judgment because processing factors for certain substances or matrices are not always known. When there are low levels of substances in the product, there is also a greater degree of computational uncertainty.
Average Pesticide Residue Amounts
Average pesticide amounts found in the samples can be an indication of the presence of plant protection substances, as the following tables show.
| Fruit |
2011
|
2012
|
2013
|
2014
|
2015
|
2016
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Organically produced samples |
0.002
|
0.007
|
0.008
|
0.005
|
0.002
|
0.001
|
| Conventionally produced samples (excluding surface treatment substances or preservatives, phosphonic acid and bromide) |
0.34
|
0.52
|
0.32
|
0.425
|
0.35
|
0.43
|
| Vegetable |
2011
|
2012
|
2013
|
2014
|
2015
|
2016
|
| Organically produced samples |
0.005
|
0.009
|
0.004
|
0.001
|
0.002
|
0.003
|
| Conventionally produced samples (excluding phosphonic acid and bromide) |
0.22
|
0.40
|
0.38
|
0.32
|
0.49
|
0.46
|
The average amount of pesticide residues detected in all analyzed organic fruit and vegetable samples this reporting year was 0.001 and 0.003 mg/kg, respectively, when all organically labeled samples (including those with false labeling) are included in the calculation. These average sum amounts have remained low over the last years (see above table).
The averages for conventionally produced fruit and vegetables lay at 0.43 mg/kg (excluding surface treatment substances, phosphonic acid and bromide) and 0.46 mg/kg (excluding phosphonic acid and bromide), respectively. The reason for the higher amount of pesticide is due to the application of chemical plant protection substances that are authorized for conventional cultivation, the residues of which are often unavoidable in the treated plant cultures. A detailed body of regulations provides consumers with a measure of safety, as long as the maximum residue levels are not exceeded.
Overview of Violations
The following table gives an overview of all organic samples analyzed in 2016 for pesticide residues and their rate of violations, itemized by food group.
| Type of Sample |
No. of Samples
|
Samples w/ Residues
> 0.01 mg/kg (%) |
Average Amount per Sample in mg/kg
|
Samples > MRL 3)
(%) |
Substances > MRL 3) 4)
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Vegetables |
155 | 9 (5.8 %) | 0.003 | 2 (1.3 %) | Prothioconazol, Nicotine |
| Fruit | 97 | 0 (0 %) | 0.001 | 0 (0 %) | - |
| Mushrooms, fresh | 5 | 1 (20 %) | 0.004 | 0 (0 %) | - |
| Potatoes and potato products | 5 | 0 (0 %) | 0.001 | 0 (0 %) | - |
| Fruit products | 9 | 1 (11 %) 1 (11 %) 2) |
0.003 | 1 (11 %) | DEET |
| Vegetables products | 8 | 2 (25 %) 0 (0 %) 2) |
0.021 | 0 (0 %) | - |
| Legumes (dried), Oil seeds, Nuts, Soy products |
40 | 2 (5.0 %) 1 (2.5 %) 2) |
0.003 | 1 (2.5 %) | Diazinon |
| Cereals | 24 | 0 (0 %) | < 0.001 | 0 (0 %) | - |
| Cereal products | 12 | 0 (0 %) | 0.001 | 0 (0 %) | - |
| Fats and Oils | 22 | 0 (0 %) | 0.001 | 0 (0 %) | - |
| Baby food | 3 1) | 0 | 0 | 0 | - |
| Wine and wine products | 15 | 0 (0 %) | 0.002 | 0 (0 %) | - |
| Alcohol free drinks (fruit juices, cereal based drinks) | 15 | 0 (0 %) | < 0.001 | 0 (0 %) | - |
| Sandwich spreads (nut-based) | 9 | 1 (11 %) 1 (11 %) 2) |
0.005 | 0 (0 %) | - |
| Teas | 3 1) | 3 3 2) |
0.21 | 3 | Trimethylsulfonium (3x) |
| Nutritional Supplements 5) Superfoods: Moringa Oleifera, Wheatgrass, Barley grass, Goji berries, Chia seeds |
18 | 12 (67 %) 11 (61 %) 2) |
1.1 | 10 (56 %) | Ametryn, DEET, Fluroxypyr, Isamplesfos, Isoproturon, Metamitron, Nicotine (2x), Paclobutrazol, Propamocarb (2x), Trimethylsulfonium (7x) |
| Other | 5 | 1 (20 %) 0 (0 %) 2) |
0.010 | 0 (0 %) | - |
| All Analyzed Samples | 445 | 32 (7.2 %) 27 (6.1 %) 2) |
0.050 | 17 (3.8 %) | 25 |
The following table shows the violations from fresh vegetables (3x), legumes (1x), tea (3x) and nutritional supplements (6x). All of these cases were in violation due to the false labeling of these products as „organic“, given that they contained significant amounts of residues for pesticides not authorized for use in organic farming. Nine of the cases (flat - leafed parsley, chick peas, green tea and 6x nutritional supplements) also exceeded the MRL established in Regulation (EC) No. 396/2005 for one or more substances. The responsible organic controllers were informed about increased residue levels in 14 samples. There was no formal objection filed, however, as the orientation value of 0.01 mg/kg for organic foods was not outside of the measurement uncertainty.
Violation rates of organic foods in 2016
| Type of Sample |
No. of Samples
|
No. of Samples in Violation (%) 1)
|
Samples
|
Country of Origin
|
No. of Samples
with Informative Reports 2) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
All Analyzed Samples |
445 |
13 |
Dill, Flat-leafed parsley, Kale
Wheatgrass powder |
Each from Germany
Dominican Republic
Unknown, non-EU cultivation |
14 |
Overview of Country of Origin
The samples from this reporting year containing residues above 0.01 mg/kg are presented in the following table, itemized by country of origin (Germany, other EU states, third countries, and unknown origin). It must be mentioned here that the country indicated for the processed goods is not necessarily the country where the raw goods were produced. Furthermore, there is often no country listed at all for processed products. This explains the relatively high number of samples without any country of origin, almost every sixth sample.
Five of the 154 analyzed samples (3.2 %) from Germany were in violation. These included four samples of fresh vegetables and one sample of nutritional supplement (barley grass powder).
Only one of the 138 analyzed samples (1.0 %) from other EU member states (barley grass powder from Austria) was reported for violation due to high levels of residues from multiple substances. In contrast, 7 of the 72 samples (9.7 %) imported from third countries were in violation. These included one sample each of green tea and dried goji berries from China and five samples of nutritional supplements from China, India (2x), the Dominican Republican and an unknown, but non-EU country. Of the 81 samples with unknown origins, two samples of black tea and one of chickpeas were in violation (3.7 %). In all of these cases, the basis for violation was either a falsified “organic” label and / or an exceedance of the MRL in accordance with Regulation (EC) No. 396/2005.
|
No. of Samples
|
Samples w/ Residues > 0.01 mg/kg
|
Ave. Quantity per Sample
|
Samples > MRL
|
Samples w/ Filed Objections 1)
|
||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Country of Origin
|
No.
|
No. (%)
|
in mg/kg
|
No. (%)
|
No. (%)
|
Type of Sample
|
| Domestic (Germany) | 154 | 9 (5.8 %) | 0.004 | 3 (1.9 %) | 5 (3.2 %) |
Dill, Leaf Parsley, Kale, Oak-leaf Lettuce, Barley grass powder |
| Other EU member states | 138 | 5 (3.6 %) | 0.008 | 2 (1.4 %) | 1 (1.0 %) |
Barley grass powder |
| Third Countries | 72 | 10 (14 %) | 0.28 | 8 (11 %) | 7 (9.7 %) |
Green tea (flavored), Goji berries (dried), Barley grass powder, Wheatgrass powder, 3x Moringa oleifera leaf powder |
| Origin Unknown | 81 | 8 (9.9 %) | 0.006 | 4 (4.9 %) | 3 (3.7 %) |
Chickpeas, 2x Black tea |
| All Analyzed Samples | 445 | 32 (7.2 %) | 0.050 | 17 (3.8 %) | 16 (3.6 %) |
|
Overview of Product Groups
Since the application of chemical / synthetic pesticides is not authorized for organic cultivation, very few products, if any, exhibit residues above 0.01 mg/kg. Thus, as the following table shows, and as the organic monitoring program has clearly depicted over the past 15 years, organic products differ greatly from conventional ware in terms of contamination from pesticide residues.
|
Type of
Cultivation |
No.
Samples |
Samples w/
Residues |
Samples w/ Residues
> 0.01 mg/kg |
Samples > MRL 1)
|
Substances
> MRL 2) |
Samples w/ Multiple
Residues |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Fresh Vegetables |
||||||
| Organic | 155 | 34 (22 %) | 9 (5.8 %) | 2 (1.3 %) | 2
|
10 (6.5 %) |
| Conventional | 883 | 805 (91 %) | 625 (71 %) | 143 (16 %) | 162 | 699 (79 %) |
|
Fresh Fruit |
||||||
| Organic | 97 | 20 (21 %) | 0 (0 %) | 0 (0 %) | 0 | 9 (9,3 %) |
| Conventional | 853 | 820 (96 %) | 745 (87 %) | 59 (6,9 %) | 68 | 770 (90 %) |
A detailed presentation of the residue situation for conventional products (fresh vegetables, fresh fruit, and other matrices) for 2016 can be found in the current Internet reports of CVUA Stuttgart (www.ua-bw.de or www.cvuas.de).
Excursus
Detected Substances Authorized for Organic Farming in 2016
The insecticides azadirachtin A, pyrethrum (pyrethrins), rotenone, spinosad, and the synergist piperonyl butoxide are among those substances that are authorized for use in organic farming, according to European Organic Regulations (EC) No. 834/2007 and No. 889/2008 (see list of authorized substances in Annex II). These substances are analyzed and regularly detected in the samples. The following table presents the findings for substances detected in samples in 2016 that are authorized for use in organic farming.
| Substance |
Frequency
|
Product
|
Amount [mg/kg]
|
|---|---|---|---|
|
Azadirachtin A |
11 |
Lamb’s lettuce |
0.006 |
|
Pyrethrum (Pyrethrine) |
4 |
Bell pepper |
0.011 |
|
Rotenone |
0 |
- |
- |
|
Piperonyl butoxide(Synergist) |
5 |
Spelt flour |
0.003 |
|
Spinosad |
24 |
Apple (2 samples) |
0.002 – 0.007 |
|
Total |
44 |
|
|
The frequency of detection for these substances was 9.9 % of the total 445 analyzed samples (8.6 % in 2015; 10.4 % in 2014). Other substances permitted in organic farming such as natural oils, sulphur, copper or iron salts were not included within the scope of these analyses.
A detailed listing of the results for all of the analyzed organic samples in 2016 including the detectable pesticide residues can be found at https://oekomonitoring.ua-bw.de.
Special Findings
In the following section residue data and results for special substances or projects / food groups are presented that were excluded from the observations thus far. They require individual consideration, either due to unique characteristics regarding their existence, applications, possible modes of entry and analysis, or because they present new or unique problems.
Phosphonic Acid / Phosponate / Fosetyl
In this reporting year a total of 445 samples from organic culture were analyzed especially for the fungicidal substances fosetyl and phosphonic acid. Regulation (EC) No. 396/2005 lists the substances as sum parameters of fosetyl (sum of fosetyl and phosphonic acid and their salts, expressed as fosetyl). It is important to note that residues from phosphonic acid can have various causes (see Info Box on phosphonic acid and fosetyl). Neither of these substances is integrated into the investigative spectrum of the QuEChERS multi-method due to their particular properties; they require their own processing and analytical methods.
Info Box
Phosphonic Acid and Fosetyl
Both fosetyl and phosphonic acid are fungicides that are permitted for use in the EU in conventional farming; they fall under the applications area of Reg. (EC) No. 396/2005, regardless of their path of entry. Neither of these substances is authorized for use in organic farming, however.
Detected amounts of phosphonic acid can result from the use of a fungicide that contains potassium phosphonate or fosetyl aluminum. They can also be caused by the use of a phosphonate-containing fertilizer. High levels of phosphonic acid could also stem from an earlier application, because plants tend to retain this substance for a long time.
The following table shows an overview of the samples with detectable residues, itemized by individual product groups or matrices. In 2016 a total of 60 samples (14 %) contained residues, whereby a significant decrease can be seen over the past few years (15 % in 2015; 19 % in 2014; and 24 % in 2013).
It is worth mentioning that these residues were found in a wide - range of different matrices from diverse countries, so they cannot be associated with only limited types of food or countries of origin. There was a wide range of detected amounts of phosphonic acid, from trace amounts of 0.05 mg/kg up to peak values of 2.5 mg/kg in a kiwi sample, 2.9 mg/kg in a sour cherry, and 10.1 mg/kg in a wine sample.
Interestingly, except for two samples of wine, none of the analyzed samples containing residues of phosphonic acid contained any fosetyl, which would indicate an application of fertilizer.
| Type of Sample | Amount of Phosphonic Acid [mg/kg] |
Amount of Fosetyl [mg/kg] |
Fosetyl Sum [mg/kg] (Sum of Fosetyl and Phosphonic Acid, expressed as Fosetyl) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Buckwheat | 0.14 | - | 0.19 |
| Buckwheat flour | 0.23 | - | 0.31 |
| Chickpeas | 0.31 | - | 0.42 |
| Chia seeds (3x) | 0.073 / 0.27 / 2.3 | - | 0.098 / 0.36 / 3.1 |
| Sunflower seeds | 1.3 | - | 1.7 |
| Chestnut | 1.4 | - | 1.9 |
| Almond drink | 0.94 | - | 1.3 |
| Lambs lettuce | 1.2 | - | 1.6 |
| Bell pepper (2x) | 0.15 / 0.66 | - | 0.20 / 0.89 |
| Cucumber | 0.51 | - | 0.68 |
| Kohlrabi | 0.064 | - | 0.086 |
| Asparagus | 0.32 | - | 0.43 |
| Onion | 1.9 | - | 2.6 |
| Ginger, fresh | 0.14 | - | 0.19 |
| Tomato / vegetable juice | 0.37 | - | 0.50 |
| King oyster mushroom | 0.20 | - | 0.27 |
| Blueberry (3x) | 0.046 / 0.077 / 0.094 | - | 0.062 / 0.10 / 0.13 |
| Table grape (4x) | 0.086 – 0.33 | - | 0.12 – 0.44 |
| Kiwi | 2.5 | - | 3.4 |
| Apple | 0.052 | - | 0.070 |
| Pear (2x) | 0.36 / 0.54 | - | 0.48 / 0.73 |
| Apricot | 0.055 | - | 0.074 |
| Sour cherry | 2.9 | - | 3.9 |
| Clementine | 0.26 | - | 0.35 |
| Grapefruit | 0.18 | - | 0.24 |
| Kumquat | 0.27 | - | 0.36 |
| Strawberry (deep-frozen) (2x) | 0.36 / 1.1 | - | 0.48 / 1.5 |
| Pomegranate juice | 0.56 | - | 0.75 |
| Apple juice | 0.075 | - | 0.10 |
| Grape juice (2x) | 0.076 / 0.37 | - | 0.10 / 0.50 |
| Wine (14x) | 0.044 – 10.1 | 0.023 / 0.034 | 0.059 – 13.6 |
| Grape must (2x) | 0.30 / 0.36 | - | 0.40 / 0.48 |
| Almond butter (2x) | 0.68 / 2.5 | - | 0.91 / 3.4 |
| Baby food (fruit juice) | 0.15 | - | 0.20 |
Since the source of phosphonic acid residues cannot be determined in the laboratory (see Info Box on phosphonic acid and fosetyl), 43 reports were submitted to the manufacturers of samples containing residues above 0.1 mg/kg. The goal was to raise awareness of the problem in order to encourage research into the causes and to identify possible paths of entry. Three of the 418 analyzed samples (0.7 %) exceeded the valid maximum level for the sum of fosetyl (sum of fosetyl and phosphonic acid and their salts, expressed as fosetyl), in accordance with Regulation (EC) No. 396/2005 or the diet ordinance. These were one sample each of sour cherry, chia seeds, and apple juice for babies and young children. Phosphonic acid and fosetyl will remain in focus and continue to be analyzed in 2017.
Chlorate and Perchlorate
In this reporting year 418 of the total 445 samples from organic cultivation were analyzed for the presence of perchlorate and chlorate (see Info Boxes). The following table gives an overview of the analyzed samples and their detected residue amounts, itemized by type of product.
| Type of Product | Amount of Chlorate [mg/kg] | Amount of Perchlorate [mg/kg] |
|---|---|---|
|
Fresh Vegetables |
0.007 / 0.014 (2 samples) |
0.027 / 0.062 (2 samples) |
|
Vegetable Products |
0.016/ 0.024 (2 samples) |
0.023 / 0.030 / 0.056 (3 samples) |
|
Fresh Mushrooms and Potatoes |
0.006 (1 sample) |
- |
|
Fresh Fruit |
0.006 (1 sample) |
- |
|
Fruit Products |
0.010 (1 sample) |
- |
|
Other |
- |
0.013 (1 sample) |
|
Baby food |
0.005 (1 sample) |
- |
|
Nutritional Supplements |
0.034 (1 sample) |
0.056 – 1.5 (7 samples) |
Perchlorate residues were detected in 72 (17 %) of the 418 samples (20 % in 2015; 31 % in 2014; 19 % in 2013); and chlorate was detected in 51 (12 %) samples (16 % in 2015; 29 % in 2014; 26 % in 2013). Twenty (4.8 %) of these samples (6.2 % in 2015 and 11 % in 2014) contained both substances. As was the case for phosphonic acid, these findings also covered a wide range of matrices and countries of origin and cannot, therefore, be reduced to individual food types or country.
As with fosetyl and phosphonic acid, neither of these substances is integrated into the investigative spectrum of the QuEChERS multi-method due to their particular properties; they require their own processing and analytical methods.
CVUA Stuttgart has published up-to-date reports with data, results and background information on both of these topics and problems under www.cvuas.de and www.ua-bw.de.
The analyses of perchlorate and chlorate will also be emphasized and further carried out in 2017.
Perchlorate
In line with European Contamination Regulation (EEC) No. 315/93, reports on organic samples with elevated levels of perchlorate (> 0.1 mg/kg) were submitted, in order to promote investigations into their causation and to encourage measures to minimize the amounts. In 2016 there were 10 (2.4 %) such cases from organic cultivation (2.0 % in 2015 and 2.2 % in 2014). Without exception, these were samples of nutritional supplements (6x Moringa leaf powder, 3x barley grass powder, and 1x wheatgrass powder). The amounts in seven of the samples (4x Moringa, 2x barley grass and 1x wheatgrass) exceeded the established reference value of 0.75 mg/kg.
Info Box
Perchlorate
Perchlorates are the salts of perchloric acid. They are generally soluble in water, and exist permanently in the environment. The industrial use of perchlorates is extensive and diverse: they are used in the metal processing industry, in paper finishing, as a diuretic, as an oxidant, and as an explosive and incendiary device. According to a report by the Federal Environment Agency, this widespread industrial use of perchlorate can cause contamination of food. Perchlorate finds its way into the food chain via, e.g. contaminated sludge that is used in agriculture or by other components from such processes. It can also be assumed that these substances are found ubiquitously in small concentrations in rain water and contaminated environmental compartments such as in the water cycle and soil. It is also known that perchlorates occur from fertilizers and artificial irrigation. Analyses conducted on fertilizer based on chile saltpeter revealed high levels of perchlorate. Particular fertilizers used especially in greenhouse cultivation cause the enrichment of perchlorate in soil.
Because perchlorate is a contaminant, not a plant protection substance, there was and is no legal maximum residue level established for it. Based on recommendations by the EU Commission in March and June of 2015, however, the Standing Committee for Plants, Animals, Food & Feed (SCPAFF) set temporary reference values for perchlorate in food (between 0.02 and 1.0 mg/kg), in order to determine the marketability of food products. Foods containing residues of perchlorate under these reference values are marketable in all member states.
Chlorate
A total of 26 of the 418 (6.2 %) analyzed samples (11 % in 2015; 16 % in 2014) contained chlorate residues > 0.01 mg/kg. Although there are known possible paths of entry, it cannot be said with absolute certainty where the amount in a particular sample came from (see Info Box on chlorate). Samples with verified MRL exceedances (chlorate values > 0.02 mg/kg) were officially reported to be in violation. In 2016 there were eight (1.9 %) such cases (3.3 % in 2015; 7.3 % in 2014).
In 2015 the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) published new toxicological assessments regarding chlorate residues in food (acute reference dose of 0.036 mg/kg bodyweight and day). Based on these assessments, none of the analyzed samples exceeded these health - based reference values. That means none exhausted the values by more than 100 %, and posed thereby no chronic or acute health problems.
Info Box
Chlorate
Chlorate is an herbicide that was authorized for use in Germany until 1992 and in the EU until 2008 (grace period until 2010). Chlorate is thereby covered by the EU - wide valid default MRL of 0.01 mg/kg for all food matrices, in accordance with Reg. (EC) No. 396/2005.
The presence of chlorate in food can result not only from its use as a pesticide (unlikely, since it is no longer authorized), but also due to environmental pollution or as a residual of food production techniques, including methods used in farming, manufacturing, processing, preparation, or treatment. The application of chlorates is diverse, e.g. for the manufacturing of explosives and volatiles. The application of biocides, from which chlorate can result, is another possible source of contamination. In general, chlorate can be formed as a by - product of the disinfection of drinking / non-potable water with chloric gas, hypochlorite, or chlorine dioxide.
However, no limit value for chlorate in drinking water has been established by the drinking water ordinance (TrinkwV). Causes such as environmental contamination (rain or irrigation water, soil) as well as the unauthorized application as an herbicide or disinfection measures using chlorine - containing processing or washing water also come into question.
Residues and Contaminants in So-Called Superfoods
The following table shows the results from 2016 of the 18 samples of so - called superfoods, with emphasis on nutritional supplements. These samples consisted of 7x Moringa oleifera leaf powder, 6x chia seeds, 3x barley grass powder, and one each of wheatgrass powder and dried goji berry.
| Type of Sample |
No. Samples
|
Samples with Residues | Samples with Residues > 0.01 mg/kg (%) | Samples > MRL 2) | Substances > MRL 2), 3) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nutritional Supplements (Superfoods: Moringa oleifera leaf powder, wheatgrass and barley grass powder, dried goji berries, chia seeds) | 18 | 14 (78 %) | 12 (67 %) 11 1) (61 %) |
11 (61 %) | Ametryn, DEET, Fluroxypyr, Isamplesfos, Isoproturon, Metamitron, Nicotine (2x), Paclobu-trazol, Propamocarb (2x), Chlorate (4x), Trimethylsulfonium (7x) |
This product group is conspicuous for the high number of cases with:
- residues,
- residues above 0.01 mg/kg, and
- exceedances of the legal MRL for one or more substances.
Chia seeds were the one exception; only two of the six analyzed samples contained residues, and these had only trace amounts (< 0.01 mg/kg).
All of the remaining 12 samples contained residues in amounts > 0.01 mg/kg; 11 samples even exceeded the legally valid maximums for one or more substances. Allowing for processing factors for each of the processed products, 11 samples were detected with residues > 0.01 mg/kg.
A total of 11 samples contained amounts of different substances (including chlorate) above the valid maximum levels. When allowing for the analytical measurement uncertainty of 50 %, 9 of these 11 samples were verified to be above the valid maximum levels. Formal objections were filed for these samples due to the MRL exceedances.
The falsification of „organic“ labeling was also determined for six samples (3x Moringa, 2x barley grass, 1x wheatgrass), due to the containment of very high residues, allowing for processing factors.
One sample of Moringa leaf powder from the Dominican Republic was detected with 16 mg/kg (!) of the insecticide substance nicotine. The toxicological reference values were exceeded to the extreme (acute reference dose: 438 %). The sample was therefore deemed to be unsafe for consumption. A toxicology consultant categorized this sample as a health hazard.
All of the 11 Moringa, barley grass and wheatgrass samples were also detected with the environmental contaminant perchlorate (see sections on residues of chlorate and perchlorate).
Analyses of these so-called Superfoods will be continued in 2017 and this issue will remain in focus.
Note
Detailed information (including results tables) can be found in the German version of the monitoring report .
If you have any questions concerning the report on the Organic Monitoring Program of Baden-Württemberg, please don’t hesitate to contact us.
Translated by: Catherine Leiblein
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