Grape Leaves – The Problem with No End in Sight
Dr. Anne Benkenstein, Leonie Moser
Grape leaves are a popular delicacy and permanent feature of Southeast European and Middle Eastern cuisine. They are also increasingly found in supermarkets here in Germany, either already stuffed, or in the form of pickled or fresh leaves ready to be stuffed at home. Earlier analyses of grape leaves have shown high levels of pesticide residue contamination and non-compliance with food law requirements among some samples . In our last report from the year 2020 ("Grape Leaves in Focus"), 71% of the analyzed leaves were found to be in violation . Our most recent investigations from 2025 aimed at analyzing the current residue situation, especially to determine whether grape leaves are now less contaminated than in the past and are developing in a positive direction.
Illustration 1: Grape Leaves
Product and Background
Grape leaves grow on vines (Vitis spp.) and are largely popular in Southeast European and Middle Eastern cuisines. They are commonly stuffed and used in such dishes as "Dolma" or "Sarma" . They are offered fresh, blanched or preserved (in brine, e.g.), and are mainly imported from such countries as Turkey and Greece . Since grape leaves are a by-product of grape cultivation, they are not grown specifically for consumption. In general, large amounts of plant protectors are used in grape cultivation, the residues of which also end up in the leaves (see our report from 2024: "Grapes Through-out the Year from Every Corner of the Earth: How Safe Are They?" ). The legal maximum residue limit (MRL) for pesticides in leaves is different from that for wine grapes or table grapes, resulting in higher rates of violations for the grape leaves. Given the continuing prevalence of violatory cases among grape leaf samples, border control inspectors are paying special attention to these imports at EU borders (see Info Box regarding import controls).
Info Box
Import Controls
The principal of free movement of goods is valid within the European Union. Article 47 of the European Parliament and Council Regulation regarding official controls (VO (EU) 2017/625) stipulates which animals and goods must be monitored when entering the EU. Various non-animal-based foods from certain third countries are also included and are listed in the appendix of the implementing regulation (EU) 2019/1793. The goal is to protect consumers from known health risks.
Grape leaves from Egypt are listed in Annex I of this regulation and samples from 50% of such leaves must be analyzed for pesticide residues at border control stations. Grape leaves from Turkey are subject to the provisions of Annex II and must also be analyzed at a frequency rate of 50%. Official certificates carrying the analytical results with the country of origin must also be presented, in which adherence to the maximum levels for pesticide residues stipulated in Regulation (EC) No. 396/2005 is documented .
Results of Current Analyses
From January to September 2025, within the realm of our official food control activities, CVUA Stuttgart analyzed 16 samples of conventionally grown grape leaves pickled in brine for residues of over 800 different pesticides, pesticide metabolites, and contaminants. Most of the samples came from Turkey.
Illustration 2: Country of origin for the analyzed grape leaves
Residues of plant protector substances and contaminants were detected in 15 out of the 16 samples (94%), among which a total of 64 different substances were found. Quantities exceeding the legally authorized maximum level were found in 13 of the 16 samples (81%); these were reported as being violatory of German food law (Table 1).
Compared to findings from the previous reporting period, the current rate of violations has slightly increased (71% → 81%) .
| Origin |
No. of Samples
|
No. with Residues
|
Ave. Substances per Sample
|
Samples > Max. Level (%)
|
No. Findings > Max. Level
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Turkey |
10
|
10
|
11.7
|
9
|
53
|
| Other |
6
|
6
|
9.0
|
4
|
18
|
| Total |
16
|
15
|
10.9
|
13 (81%)
|
71
|
Illustration 3 presents the total amount of pesticides and the number of substances exceeding the maximum legal level for samples analyzed in 2025. While no exceedances were ascertained for three of the samples, the highest number of exceedances (16) was found in one single sample.
Illustration 3: Total quantity of pesticides and number of residue substances exceeding the maximum level for grape leaves (Jan–Sept 2025, CVUAS, excluding phosphonic acid and bromide findings)
On average, there were exceedances of the MRL for 5.5 substances per violatory sample. This rate is somewhat lower than in the last reporting period, at 7.8 substances per violation . The total of 71 cases of MRL exceedances were based on 39 different substances.
Illustration 4 shows a comparison of the average quantities of pesticide residues in the 16 analyzed grape leaves with fresh vegetables from 2024. The average amount for the grape leaves is 3.5 times higher than for fresh vegetables.
Illustration 4: Comparison of the average quantities of pesticide residues in the analyzed grape leaves with fresh vegetables from 2024
Conspicuous and frequently detected substances
As Table 2 shows, the most frequently detected substances in the analyzed grape leaves were fungicides, in addition to lambda-cyhalothrin (insecticide) and perchlorate (contaminant). The fungicides azoxystrobin, difenoconazole, tebuconazole, dimethomorph and pyrimethanil were found in at least 50% of the samples. Because intensive application of fungicides is crucial for combating fungal diseases in grape cultivation, these multiple findings of fungicidal substances in the wine grapes is not unexpected.
| Substance |
Effect
|
No. of Findings
|
|---|---|---|
| Azoxystrobin |
Fungicide
|
14
|
| Difenoconazole |
Fungicide
|
10
|
| Lambda-Cyhalothrin |
Insecticide
|
9
|
| Tebuconazole |
Fungicide
|
9
|
| Dimethomorph |
Fungicide
|
8
|
| Pyrimethanil |
Fungicide
|
8
|
| Boscalid |
Fungicide
|
7
|
| Cyprodinil |
Fungicide
|
7
|
| Penconazole, total, sum of isomers |
Fungicide
|
6
|
| Perchlorate |
Contaminant
|
6
|
Most of the MRL exceedances were found among fungicides. Especially frequent were azoxystrobin (6x), dimethomorph (5x), boscalid (4x), difenoconazole (4x) and penconazole (4x). Many violations also occurred among the insecticides lambda-cyhalothrin (6x) and acetamiprid (3x). In accordance with food law, grape leaves that exceed the valid maximum level are not marketable, and thus may not be sold as food.
Conclusion and Consumer Tip
The current analyses show that the situation regarding grape leaf residues has not improved since 2020. As before, most of the samples contain residues of plant protectors and the legally permitted maximums are often exceeded. Many of the products currently on offer must therefore be judged as not marketable.
A positive aspect is that the number of exceedances per sample has slightly decreased. This only signifies progress in individual cases, however, and not a general reversal of the trend. Since grape leaves are mainly a by-product of grape cultivation, their residue levels are naturally higher than those in specifically cultivated foods.
Consumer tip:
✓ Check the country of origin when purchasing grape leaves; the risk of elevated residue levels is greater among third countries.
✓ Organic products are a recommendable alternative from our experience, because no synthetic pesticides are permitted to be used.
✓ Grape leaves from your own garden – as long as they haven't been treated with pesticides – or from an organic farm are also good choices.
✓ Rinsing or preserving the leaves can reduce residues, but not fully remove them.
Only with consistent monitoring and responsible application of plant protectors along the entire supply chain can long-term improvement of the residue situation be reached.
CVUA Stuttgart will continue to observe the residue situation in grape leaves and conduct regular analyses of samples.
Photo credits
Photos of grape leaves: Anne Benkenstein
Vegetable box in Illustration 4: Vegetables by Sarsmis, Getty Images Pro
References
Article "Nicht verkehrsfähig: Rückstände von Pflanzenschutzmitteln in Weinblättern", Dr. Eberhard Schüle, published 23.04.2012
Article "Weinblätter im Fokus", Dr. Florian Hägele, published 09.12.2020
Ökotest: pesticides in grape leaves – some grape leaves should not have been sold in that condition. last time visited on 24.10.2025
Article "Tafeltrauben das ganze Jahr über aus aller Herrenländer: Wie sicher sind sie?", Dr. Anne Benkenstein, published on 02.12.2024
Article "Rückstände und Kontaminanten in Frischgemüse aus konventionellem Anbau 2024", Dr. Florian Hägele, Kathi Haker and Ellen Scherbaum, published on 24.04.2025
Article of the month from the Bundesverband der Lebensmittelchemiker/-innen im öffentlichen Dienst e.V., "Lebensmittel aus aller Welt - Risiken aus aller Welt? Einfuhrkontrollen von Lebensmitteln am Frankfurter Flughafen", published on 09.06.2024
Translator
Catherine Leiblein
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