(MRLs) of pesticides in food

According to the Annual Report on Pesticide published by the European Food Safety Association (EFSA), compliance with EU maximum residue levels (MRLs) of pesticides permitted in food has improved. The report shows that 96.5% of the samples analysed in 2008 comply with MRLs. This is an improvement of 0.7% compared to 2007. Only 0.2% exceeded the legal limit of MRL in baby food on which European legislation is particularly strict allowing no more than 0.01 mg/kg of any single pesticide residue. Concerning organic products, MRLs were exceeded in 0.9%. The majority of the MRL breaches were found in food imported from countries outside of the EU (7.6%) as opposed to products grown within the EU (2.4%). According to EFSA’s Pesticide Risk Assessment, the current percentage of the presence of pesticides in foods does not necessarily imply a food safety concern. Only in a rare case where large portions with the highest residue levels are consumed would a risk occur. The report also includes several recommendations for the improvement of future pesticide monitoring programmes.