Food News

Residues of pesticides that are not permitted in organic farming are repeatedly found in organic fruit, vegetables and processed organic foods. How do they get there? 

The European Commission has asked the EFSA to prepare a technical report on the possible causes of findings of plant protection product active substances not authorised for organic farming and their residues in organic food and feed. Twenty-one plant protection active substances were examined, including acetamiprid, azoxystrobin, chlormequat, deltamethrin, difenoconazole, glyphosate, fluopyram, folpet and aluminium fosetyl. None of these active substances occur ‘naturally’. The complete list can be found in the report.

In addition to unauthorised use as a plant protection product active substance, other possible causes investigated include use as a biocide or veterinary medicine active substance, possible drift from neighbouring fields, industrial emissions, contamination in soil or water, and contamination from authorised fertilisers.

The EFSA recommends conducting various additional tests if residues of these active substances are detected in organic products, for example soil tests if residues of phosphonic acid, boscalid, fluopyram or difenoconazole are detected. Water tests could provide further information on contamination by glyphosate, boscalid, azoxystrobin, fluopyram and spirotetramat.

The EFSA's technical study can provide important information for the assessment of residues in organic products and serve as a basis for further investigations by the competent organic control bodies.

YOUR PLUS: We naturally test organic products for prohibited active substances. If any findings are conspicuous, our experienced food chemists will help to investigate the causes.

Author: Dr. Frank Mörsberger, AGROLAB GROUP