Ellen Scherbaum, Florian Hägele und Marc Wieland
Pesticide contamination of conventionally grown fresh vegetables has remained largely constant over previous years, also in 2021. Due to newly established maximum residue levels (MRLs) for the substance chlorate, however, the rate of violations resulting from an exceedance of the MRL was observed to be significantly lower, as was already the case in 2020. Whereas 18 % of the samples analyzed in 2019 were in violation due to at least one exceedance of the MRL, this rate dropped to 7 % in 2021 (5 % in 2020). When the formal violations for chlorate from previous years are excluded, the overall rate for 2021 is similar. Except for five samples (2 x melon, 1 x romaine lettuce, 1 x kale and 1 x zucchini), the detected pesticide amounts posed no health risk. Vegetables grown in Germany and other EU countries scored comparatively well. Our general tip: wash vegetables in warm water before eating them; this will remove some of the residues.
In 2021 a total of 893 samples of fresh vegetables from conventional cultivation were analyzed by CVUA Stuttgart for residues of over 700 different pesticides, pesticide metabolites, and contaminants (over 1,000 substances, including screening methods). In all, 814 of these samples (91 %) contained residues from a total of 229 different pesticide substances; see Annex 3 (this compares to 219 substances in 2020; 226 in 2019; 219 in 2018; 227 in 2017; and 202 in 2016). A total of 4,291 residues were quantified (according to the legal definition; see also Annex 4). There were violations due to exceedances of the MRL in 61 (7 %) vegetable samples (see Table 1).
Compared with previous years, where the rate of violations was comparatively high (5 % in 2020; 18 % in 2019; 21 % in 2018; 16 % in 2016 & 2017), the number of violative samples in 2021 was slightly higher than in 2020, but significantly lower than in previous years. This stems from the newly adapted MRLs for the polar pesticide chlorate established in 2020, no longer based on a standard default level of 0.01 mg/kg sample, but set at higher, more individualized levels. In 2021 only two samples (cucumber and romaine lettuce) were found to contain chlorate amounts higher than the newly specified limit value, whereas in 2019 a total of 129 vegetable samples from conventional cultivation exceeded the then valid, standard MRL for chlorate of 0.01 mg/kg sample.
Looking at the overall rate of formal violations from previous years excluding chlorate (5 % in 2020; 4.9 % in 2019; 5.1 % in 2018; and 4.6 % in 2017), the rate for 2021 shows a slight increase.
All of the samples were routinely analyzed for about 700 substances (over 1,000 substances including screening methods) using the QuEChERS multi-method and the QuPPe method (for very polar substances; see also quppe.eu). Table 1 gives an overview of the analyzed fresh vegetable samples, itemized by country of origin.
| Fresh Vegetables |
Domestic
|
Other EU Countries
|
3rd Countries
|
Unspecified Origin
|
Total Samples
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Number of samples |
363
|
320
|
174
|
36
|
893
|
| Samples with residues |
315 (87 %)
|
302 (94 %)
|
162 (93 %)
|
35 (97 %)
|
814 (91 %)
|
| Samples >MRL |
13 (4 %)
|
12 (4 %)
|
32 (18 %)
|
4 (11 %)
|
61 (7 %)
|
| Average pesticide amount (mg/kg) |
1.5
|
2.3
|
1.2
|
1.7
|
1.7
|
| Average pesticide content excluding bromide & fosetyl (sum) (mg/kg)* |
0.37
|
043
|
0.40
|
0.42
|
0.40
|
| Ave. No. Substances per sample |
3.8
|
5.5
|
5.6
|
5.7
|
4.8
|
The samples came from at least 29 different countries, with most originating in Germany (363), Spain (166), Italy (75), Turkey (62), Morocco (57) and the Netherlands (43). There were 36 samples without indication of country of origin.
Comparing countries of origin with regard to the number of different pesticide substances used requires a look at the various climate zones. Cultures grown in varying climatic conditions will be differentially burdened by pests and therefore treated with individualized measures of plant protection. An overall average of 4.8 different substances was detected per sample, with the German grown samples scoring the best, at 3.8 substances. Excluding fosetyl (sum) and bromide, the average amount of pesticide residues found overall was comparable: 0.40 mg/kg for all countries combined and 0.37 mg/kg for the German grown samples.
A closer observation of the countries with the highest rate of exceedances (> 10 %) shows that mainly third countries were represented (see Table 2).
| Country |
Country Category
|
No. of Samples
|
Samples > MRL (%)
|
|---|---|---|---|
| Turkey |
Third Country
|
62
|
21 (34 %)
|
| Egypt |
Third Country
|
11
|
2 (18 %)
|
| France |
EU Country
|
7
|
1 (14 %)
|
| China |
Third Country
|
8
|
1 (13 %)
|
| Not specified |
-
|
36
|
4 (11 %)
|
| Italy |
EU Country
|
75
|
4 (5 %)
|
| Morocco |
Third Country
|
57
|
3 (5 %)
|
| Germany |
EU Country
|
363
|
13 (4 %)
|
| Spain |
EU Country
|
166
|
5 (3 %)
|
Maximum residue levels (MRLs) are not toxicological endpoints or limit values. They are derived from residue investigations carried out under realistic conditions. The expected residues are then compared with toxicological limit values, in order to ensure that lifelong or a one-time intake of the substance does not pose a health risk.
Maximum residue levels regulate trade, and are not permitted to be exceeded. Food containing residues above the MRL is not marketable; it may not be sold. Not every exceedance of an MRL poses a health risk, however. It is therefore important to make differentiated observations.
Five of the conventionally produced vegetables analyzed in 2021 contained levels that exhausted the Acute Reference Dose (ARfD) by 100 %, using the EFSA PRIMo-Model for the EU:
The first three samples were judged to be unsafe and thus not suitable for human consumption ((Regulation (EC) No. 178/2002, Article 14, Paragraph 2 a or 2 b)).
The toxicological evaluation of the melons takes into consideration that, while the peel is not normally eaten together with the flesh, it is not removed for the analysis (verification of good agricultural practice).
For the evaluation of pesticides that have a high, acute toxicity and that can cause health damage after just a single or short-term intake, the Acceptable Daily Intake (ADI) value is only appropriate to a limited extent. Since the ADI is derived from long-term studies, it is possibly inadequate as a measure of acute risk from residues in food. Therefore, in addition to the ADI value, a further exposure limit has been established, the so-called acute reference dose (ARfD). The World Health Organization defined the ARfD as the amount of a substance one can consume over the period of one day or in one meal without resulting in any discernible health risk. Other than for the ADI, the ARfD value is not determined for every pesticide, but only for such substances that, when taken in sufficient quantities, could damage one’s health even after just one exposure.
» EFSA calculation model Pesticide Residue Intake Model “PRIMo”– revision 3.1
Tables 3 to 7 show the results of residue analyses, differentiated by type of vegetable. Annex 1 lists the MRL exceedances for conventionally cultivated fresh vegetables, and Annexes 2 and 3 show the frequency distribution of the detected substances.
| Type of Vegetable |
No. Samples
|
Samples w/ Residues
|
Samples w/ Multiple Residues
|
Samples > MRL
|
No. Findings > MRL
|
Substances > MRL* |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Leafy Vegetables |
314
|
293 (93 %)
|
265 (84 %)
|
17 (5 %)
|
19
|
Nicotine (7x); Dithiocarbamates (3x); Acetamiprid (2x); Chlorate; Pyridalyl; Bromide; Spirodiclofen; Lambda-Cyhalothrin; BAC (n=8. 10. 12. 14. 16. 18); Flupyradifurone |
| Fruiting Vegetables |
392
|
360 (92 %)
|
327 (83 %)
|
32 (8 %)
|
42
|
Chlorpyrifos-methyl (10x); 4-CPA (4x); Fosetyl, sum (4x); Ethephon (2x); Dimethoate (2x); Acetamiprid (2x); Fosthiazate (2x); Flonicamid. sum (2x); Captan, sum (2x); Chlormequat-chloride, sum (2x); Chlorate; Dichlorvos; Fenamiphos, sum; Omethoate; Methomyl; Diflubenzuron; Penconazole; Fluazinam; Tebufenpyrad; Cyflumetofen |
| Sprout Vegetables |
104
|
85 (82 %)
|
49 (47 %)
|
7 (7 %)
|
7
|
Fosetyl, sum (5x); Fluazifop, sum; Flonicamid, sum |
| Root Vegetables |
83
|
76 (92 %)
|
73 (88 %)
|
5 (6 %)
|
6
|
Fosetyl, sum; Chlorpyrifos; Thiamethoxam; Clothianidin; Cypermethrin; Captan, sum |
| TOTAL |
893
|
814 (91 %)
|
714 (80 %)
|
61 (7 %)
|
74
|
Leafy vegetables contained an average of 5.6 different substances. With a rate of 0.87 mg pesticide per kg (average, excluding bromide and fosetyl (sum)), these had the highest residue amount of all types of vegetables. In particular, many herb and lettuce samples contained numerous as well as high amounts of pesticides. The highest number was a sample of parsley from Italy, which contained 24 different substances (see also Illustration 1).
| Matrix |
No. Samples*
|
Samples w/ Residues
|
Samples w/ Multiple Residues
|
Samples > MRL
|
Substances > MRL** |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Basil |
7
|
7 (100 %)
|
5 (71 %)
|
1 (14 %)
|
Dithiocarbamates |
| Batavia lettuce |
3*
|
3
|
2
|
-
|
- |
| Celery |
16
|
16 (100 %)
|
16 (100 %)
|
-
|
- |
| Chicory |
12
|
12 (100 %)
|
12 (100 %)
|
-
|
- |
| Chinese cabbage |
4
|
4
|
4
|
1
|
Acetamiprid |
| Dill leaves |
5
|
5 (100 %)
|
5 (100 %)
|
-
|
- |
| Oakleaf lettuce |
9
|
9 (100 %)
|
7 (78 %)
|
-
|
- |
| Iceberg lettuce |
42
|
40 (95 %)
|
39 (93 %)
|
-
|
- |
| Endive |
2
|
2
|
2
|
-
|
- |
| Lambs lettuce |
12
|
11 (92 %)
|
11 (92 %)
|
-
|
- |
| Kale |
3
|
3
|
3
|
3
|
Nicotine (3x); Acetamiprid; Lambda-Cyhalothrin |
| Head lettuce |
16
|
14 (88 %)
|
12 (75 %)
|
-
|
- |
| Coriander |
1
|
1
|
1
|
-
|
- |
| Spring onion |
6
|
6 (100 %)
|
6 (100 %)
|
1 (17 %)
|
Pyridalyl |
| Lollo |
5
|
5 (100 %)
|
4 (80 %)
|
-
|
- |
| Dandelion leaves |
1
|
1
|
1
|
-
|
- |
| Chard |
7
|
6 (86 %)
|
6 (86 %)
|
-
|
- |
| Mint |
2
|
2
|
2
|
-
|
- |
| Pak choi |
3
|
3
|
3
|
-
|
- |
| Parsley |
21
|
21 (100 %)
|
21 (100 %)
|
1 (5 %)
|
Spirodiclofen |
| Leek |
6
|
4 (67 %)
|
4 (67 %)
|
-
|
- |
| Red-leaved chicory (radicchio) |
2
|
2)
|
1
|
-
|
- |
| Romaine lettuce |
9
|
9 (100 %)
|
9 (100 %)
|
2 (22 %)
|
Chlorate; Dithiocarbamates |
| Brussels sprouts |
19
|
18 (95 %)
|
18 (95 %)
|
-
|
- |
| Red cabbage |
7
|
6 (86 %)
|
3 (43 %)
|
-
|
- |
| Rucola |
26
|
26 (100 %)
|
25 (96 %)
|
3 (12 %)
|
Nicotine (2x); Dithiocarbamates |
| Chives |
13
|
12 (92 %)
|
11 (85 %)
|
1 (8 %)
|
BAC (n=8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18) |
| Spinach |
21
|
18 (86 %)
|
13 (62 %)
|
4 (19 %)
|
Nicotine (2x); Bromide; Flupyradifurone |
| Thyme |
1
|
1
|
1
|
-
|
- |
| White cabbage |
21
|
15 (71 %)
|
10 (48 %)
|
-
|
- |
| Savoy cabbage |
3
|
3
|
3
|
-
|
- |
| Lemongrass |
3
|
3
|
0
|
-
|
- |
| Radish leaves |
1
|
1
|
1
|
-
|
- |
| Rosemary |
3
|
3
|
3
|
-
|
- |
| Sage |
1
|
0
|
0
|
-
|
- |
| Sugar loaf lettuce |
1
|
1
|
1
|
-
|
- |
| TOTAL |
314
|
293 (93 %)
|
265 (84 %)
|
17 (6 %)
|
Most of the MRL exceedances of leafy vegetables concerned nicotine, dithiocarbamates and acetamiprid.
Fruiting vegetables contained an average of 5.0 different substances per sample, but only 0.18 mg pesticide residues (excluding bromide and fosetyl (sum)), which means the detected substances are often found in only small concentrations. This doesn’t necessarily mean, however, that fruiting vegetables are treated less often or with lower concentrations of pesticides than other types of vegetables during vegetation. Rather, it has become much more common to wash vegetables after the harvest, thereby removing pesticide residues. In the last few years, after-harvest treatment has become more and more automated and wide-spread.
Bell peppers, aubergines, melons and green beans often contain several pesticides. The frontrunner was a sample of bell pepper from Turkey, with 17 different substances (see also Illustration 1).
Due to MRL exceedances, 19 products (33 %) from Turkey were rejected. The main culprits were 12 samples of bell pepper and 3 samples of melons. The insecticide chlorpyrifos-methyl was conspicuous in 10 cases. In 2021 the maximum level for this substance in the EU was reduced to 0.01 mg/kg for toxicological reasons. We assume, therefore, that the Turkish producers didn’t adjust to the new legal limits in time.
You may be surprised to find melons here among the assessments for vegetables. So, what is the difference? Fruits are often consumed raw; they are full of sugar and acid and, when ripe, are soft and easy to chew. They usually grow on perennial, woody plants. Vegetables are the edible parts of annual herbaceous plants. They can be distinguished according to which part of the plant is eaten, including the categories of leafy, fruiting, sprout, or root. In contrast to fruit, vegetables can be very hard when raw, so they are often consumed cooked. They generally contain little sugar or acid. Melons are members of the cucurbit (pumpkin) family, in the fruiting vegetable category. Since they are atypically sweet and soft, they are consumed more like fruit.
| Matrix |
No. Samples*
|
Samples w/ Residues
|
Samples w/ Multiple Residues
|
Samples > MRL
|
Substances > MRL** |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aubergine |
33
|
33 (100 %)
|
29 (88 %)
|
1 (3 %)
|
4-CPA |
| Green beans |
39
|
37 (95 %)
|
33 (85 %)
|
4 (10 %)
|
Fosetyl, sum (3x); Penconazole |
| Sugarsnap peas |
7
|
6 (86 %)
|
6 (86 %)
|
2 (29 %)
|
Dimethoate (2x); Omethoate |
| Bell peppers |
103
|
100 (97 %)
|
94 (91 %)
|
13 (13 %)
|
Chlorpyrifos-methyl (10x); Acetamiprid (2x); Chlormequat-chloride, sum; Cyflumetofen; Ethephon; Flonicamid. sum; Fluazinam; Tebufenpyrad |
| Cucumber |
51
|
49 (96 %)
|
46 (90 %)
|
4 (8 %)
|
Chlorate; Chlormequat-chloride, sum; Dichlorvos; Flonicamid, sum |
| Pumpkin (squash. marrow) |
5
|
2 (40 %)
|
1 (20 %)
|
-
|
|
| Melon |
34
|
33 (97 %)
|
32 (94 %)
|
4 (12 %)
|
4-CPA; Captan sum; Ethephon; Fenamiphos. sum; Fosthiazate; Methomyl |
| Okra (Ladyfingers) |
2*
|
2
|
2
|
1
|
Diflubenzuron |
| Chili peppers |
5
|
5 (100 %)
|
5 (100 %)
|
-
|
- |
| Broad beans with pod |
3
|
2
|
1
|
1
|
Captan, sum; Fosetyl, sum |
| Tomato |
37
|
28 (76 %)
|
24 (65 %)
|
-
|
- |
| Zucchini |
72
|
62 (86 %)
|
53 (74 %)
|
2 (3 %)
|
4-CPA (2x); Fosthiazate |
| Other |
1
|
1
|
1
|
-
|
- |
| TOTAL |
392
|
360 (92 %)
|
327 (83 %)
|
32 (12 %)
|
Sprout vegetables contained an average of 2.0 different substances and 0.08 mg pesticide residues per kg sample (average pesticide amount, excluding bromide and fosetyl, sum), which is the lowest level of residues of all the different vegetable groups.
| Matrix |
No. Samples*
|
Samples w/ Residues
|
Samples w/ Multiple Residues
|
Samples > MRL
|
Substances > MRL |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Artichoke |
2*
|
1
|
1
|
-
|
- |
| Cauliflower |
3
|
2
|
1
|
-
|
- |
| Broccoli |
20
|
16 (80 %)
|
14 (70 %)
|
1 (5 %)
|
Fluazifop, sum |
| Fennel |
7
|
7 (100 %)
|
6 (86 %)
|
-
|
- |
| Garlic |
5
|
2 (40 %)
|
2 (40 %)
|
-
|
- |
| Kohlrabi |
25
|
20 (80 %)
|
11 (44 %)
|
1 (4 %)
|
Flonicamid, sum |
| Asparagus |
30
|
27 (90 %)
|
6 (20 %)
|
5 (17 %)
|
Fosetyl, sum (5x) |
| Onion |
10
|
9 (90 %)
|
7 (70 %)
|
-
|
- |
| Cereal sprouts |
1
|
0
|
0
|
-
|
- |
| Soybean sprouts |
1
|
1
|
1
|
-
|
- |
| TOTAL |
104
|
85 (82 %)
|
49 (47 %)
|
7 (3 %)
|
Asparagus from Germany was conspicuous; five cases (22 % of samples) exceeded the maximum level for fosetyl, sum. This substance is approved to a limited extent in Germany until 30 April, 2022, but only for the combating of root rot (phytium) in young asparagus plants.
Root vegetables contained an average of 4.3 substances per sample and a comparatively low level of pesticide residues of 0.096 mg/kg sample (average pesticide amount excluding bromide and fosetyl, sum). The detected substances were often found in only trace amounts.
| Matrix |
No. Samples*
|
Samples w/ Residues
|
Samples w/ Multiple Residues
|
Samples > MRL
|
Substances > MRL** |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ginger |
6
|
6 (100 %)
|
6 (100 %)
|
2 (33 %)
|
Clothianidin; Fosetyl, sum; Thiamethoxam |
| Celeriac |
20
|
20 (100 %)
|
20 (100 %)
|
-
|
- |
| Carrot |
24
|
22 (92 %)
|
22 (92 %)
|
-
|
- |
| Parsnip |
2*
|
2
|
2 (100 %)
|
-
|
- |
| Radish, small |
16
|
15 (94 %)
|
14 (88 %)
|
-
|
- |
| Radish |
5
|
3 (60 %)
|
2 (40 %)
|
-
|
- |
| Beetroots |
6
|
4 (67 %)
|
3 (50 %)
|
-
|
- |
| Rutabaga (swedish turnip, swede) |
2
|
2
|
2
|
2
|
Captan, sum; Chlorpyrifos |
| Teltow beet |
2
|
2
|
2
|
1 (50 %)
|
Cypermethrin, sum |
| TOTAL |
83
|
76 (92 %)
|
73 (88)
|
5 (20 %)
|
- |
Residues of several different pesticides in vegetables were also detected with great frequency in 2021; 714 of the samples (80 %) contained multiple residues. Illustration 1 depicts the number of pesticides found in the different types of vegetables in this reporting year. The residue findings are strongly dependent on the type of samples analyzed and their country of origin. Since the particular focus and risk-oriented questions are different each year, the results from one year cannot be seen as representative of the general situation, and are only minimally comparable.
When more than one pesticide substance is detected on or in food, this is referred to as multiple residues. There are several conceivable causes for the occurrence of multiple residues. In addition to the use of different substances during the growth phase to combat various pests, they can also stem from, e.g. the application of combination therapies containing several substances, or an intended change in substance in order to prevent the development of resistant pathogens. Furthermore, an additional application during storage or transport, or transmission from a contaminated transport container or conveyor belt, is also possible. Small amounts of substance residues can stem from earlier applications or from the drifting of plant protection measures of neighboring fields. Another possible reason is the occasional compilation of sample food batches coming from different producers who have used different pesticide substances. Finally, the improper conduct of good agricultural practices with reference to the use of pesticides cannot always be ruled out.
Illustration 1: Multiple residues in various types of vegetables (CVUAS, 2021)
Phosphonic acid residues can result from the application of the fungicides fosetyl and the salts of phosphonic acid (authorized for use in Germany in fruit and vegetable cultivation such as cucumber, lettuce, bell peppers and fresh herbs), as well as from an earlier application of growth enhancers (so-called leaf fertilizers).
Phosphonic acid is included in the legal MRL for fosetyl (sum of fosetyl and phosphonic acids and their salts, calculated as fosetyl). Phosphonic acid was detected in 133 samples of vegetables (14.9 %), in amounts up to 57 mg/kg (76.6 mg fosetyl, sum). Only four samples were detected with fosetyl per se (2 x cucumber, 1 x melon, 1 x head lettuce). Ten samples were in violation due to an exceedance of the MRL (see Annex 1).
The average rate of pesticide per sample is strongly influenced by the comparatively high average amount of phosphonic acid, or fosetyl (sum) residues. Table 1, therefore, presents the average rates of pesticides per sample both with and without fosetyl (sum).
Both fosetyl and phosphonic acid are fungicides that are permitted for use in the EU and fall under the applications area of regulation (EC) No. 396/2005, regardless of their path of entry. In addition to the use of a fungicide, another feasible means of exposure could be via a leaf fertilizer that contains phosphonates (salts of phosphonic acid). The categorization of phosphonic acids as a fungicide has precluded this application since the harvest year of 2014. There are indications, however, that plants retain phosphonic acids, only eliminating them over a period of time. Residue findings could thus be traced to an earlier, authorized, leaf fertilization.
| Matrix Group | Parameter |
No. Positive Findings
|
Range (mg/kg)
|
|---|---|---|---|
| Leafy Vegetable | Fosetyl |
1
|
0.023
|
| Phosphonic acid |
52
|
0.15 – 57
|
|
| Fosetyl, sum (calculated) |
52 (16.6 %)
|
0.2 – 76.6
|
|
| Fruiting Vegetable | Fosetyl |
3
|
0.12 – 0.26
|
| Phosphonic acid |
64
|
0.094 – 20.6
|
|
| Fosetyl, sum (calculated) |
64 (16.3 %)
|
0.13 – 27.7
|
|
| Sprout Vegetable | Phosphonic acid |
8
|
0.37 – 6.9
|
| Fosetyl, sum (calculated) |
8 (7.7 %)
|
0.50 – 9.3
|
|
| Root Vegetable | Phosphonic acid |
9
|
0.12 – 1.8
|
| Fosetyl, sum (calculated) |
9 (10.8 %)
|
0.16 – 2.4
|
Bromide (a degradation product of the fumigant methyl bromide) tends to appear in high amounts in vegetable samples. Bromide can also occur naturally, as it comes from the soil. There are also indications that soil near the sea can have naturally higher levels of bromide; Italy often mentions this as a source. For this reason, only amounts > 10 mg/kg are included in the assessment, because only from this amount can an application of the fumigant methyl bromide be assumed. Bromide amounts > 10 mg/kg were detected in 22 samples, with quantities up to 54.3 mg/kg (spinach). This sample, from France, even exceeded the maximum level for bromide. Since the average pesticide amount is strongly influenced by the high levels of bromide, the statistics presented in Table 1 are also provided without bromide.
Methyl bromide was widely used for a long time due to its effectiveness as a fast-acting fumigant. It is very damaging to the ozone layer, however. In 1987, therefore, an international contract was made among 175 countries (The Montreal Protocol), in which the countries agreed to limit the use of methyl bromide until 2015, and to use alternative fumigants. Since 2015 the use of methyl bromide has been significantly cut back, world-wide. A reduction of detected bromide residues is thus expected in the coming years.
| Matrix | Country of Origin | Quantity in the Sample (mg/kg) |
|---|---|---|
| Aubergine | Italy |
23.4
|
| Basil | Kenya |
12.8
|
| Unspecified |
24.8
|
|
| Celery | Spain (4x) |
18.2 / 10.1 / 14.5 / 17.5
|
| Dill | Spain (2x) |
31.0 / 12.5
|
| Swiss chard | Italy (2x) |
21.5 / 17.1
|
| Radish leaves | Germany |
10.4
|
| Rucola | Germany (2x) Italy (4x) Unspecified |
12.2 / 18.8
13.9 / 14.9 / 21.1 / 27.1 15.2 |
| Spinach | Italy France |
19.2
54.3 |
| Tomato | Germany |
12.2
|
CVUA Stuttgart continues to find residues of nicotine in vegetables, which is no longer authorized for use in the EU. In addition to the purposed use of nicotine as a pesticide or of tobacco brew as an allegedly ecological substance, nicotine residues can also stem from natural quantities in the plant itself or from contamination via tobacco dust or smoker hands (see also [1]). There were seven notable findings of quantities exceeding the legal MRL in this reporting year (3 x kale, 2 x spinach, 2 x rucola).
In addition to the 893 fresh vegetable samples, a total of 48 deep frozen vegetable samples from conventional culture were also analyzed in 2021 for residues of over 750 different pesticides, pesticide metabolites, and contaminants. The country of origin was unspecified for 31 samples (the origin is not required on packaged frozen goods), and 7 came from Spain, 4 from Germany, 3 from Belgium, 2 from Egypt, and one each from France and Portugal. Multiple residues of pesticide substances were detected in 94 % of the samples. Maximum residue levels were exceeded in 5 of the frozen vegetable samples: 1 asparagus sample of unspecified origin exceeded the maximum for the growth regulator chlormequat, and 4 samples exceeded the maximum for chlorate (2x okra from Egypt, 1x bell pepper from Portugal, and 1x chive from Germany). The rate of MRL violations lays therewith at 10 %, which is even higher than that of fresh vegetables (7 %). Table 10 presents an overview of these analytical results.
| Food Product |
No. of Samples
|
Samples w/ Residues
|
> Maximum Level
|
|---|---|---|---|
| Broccoli, deep frozen |
6
|
6
|
|
| Dill, deep frozen |
1
|
1
|
|
| Peas, deep frozen |
13
|
13
|
|
| Bell Peppers, deep frozen |
1
|
1
|
1
|
| Green Beans, deep frozen |
4
|
4
|
|
| Kitchen Herbs, deep frozen |
1
|
1
|
|
| Carrots, deep frozen |
1
|
1
|
|
| Okra, deep frozen |
2
|
2
|
2
|
| Broad beans, deep frozen |
1
|
1
|
|
| Brussels Sprouts, deep frozen |
2
|
2
|
|
| Chives, deep frozen |
6
|
6
|
1
|
| Asparagus, deep frozen |
1
|
1
|
1
|
| Spinach, deep frozen |
9
|
9
|
|
| TOTAL |
48
|
48
|
5
|
Conclusion: the residue situation for fresh and frozen vegetables can vary, since the products come from completely different countries (the origin of frozen foods is often not identifiable to the consumer). Although residue levels do usually drop as a result of processing factors, new contaminants can also appear from such procedures. The conspicuously high number of chlorate findings in this investigation is probably such a case.
CVUA Stuttgart, Pesticide laboratory
[1] CVUAS, Nicotine in Food – What Does Smoking Have To Do With It?
Annex 2: Frequency of detection of the most important substances for vegetables, by type of vegetable, as a percentage of all analyzed samples (CVUAS, 2021 and 2020) in comparison to 2020
Translated by: Catherine Leiblein
Chemisches und Veterinäruntersuchungsamt Stuttgart
Postfach 1206 · 70702 Fellbach
☎ +49 (0)711 / 34 26 12 34
