Occurrence of pesticide residues in fruit – results of official control (2021)

The aim of the study was a multidimensional analysis of the occurrence of pesticide residues in fruit samples (87) within the framework of official control (68, WIORiN) and cross-compliance control (19, ARiMR). There was an assessment of the frequency of detection of chemical groups and individual active substances (a.s.), the level of concentrations and estimation of the magnitude of exceedances of permissible standards (MRLs), as well as diagnosis of multi-residue samples. The practical purpose of the studies conducted was to assess compliance by producers with the regulations for the application of the pesticide residues. In 45% (WIORiN) and 9% (ARiMR) of the samples, residues of pesticides were found. MRL exceedances were recorded in 1% of the samples tested. Samples with a non-recommended a.s. accounted for 5% of samples. Of the 516 labeled pesticides, 26 a.s. were detected, mainly fungicides. The highest level was recorded for boscalid (1.6 mg/kg) in the blueberry sample. Residues of pesticides were most often detected in strawberries (18%). The highest number of compounds was detected in cherries, where nine a.s. were determined. The presence of multi-residue samples was noted (44%), of which samples with two residues were the most numerous (11%). The results obtained from the study show the importance of controlling residues of pesticides in fruits, which require frequent use of chemical pesticides due to attack from agrophages, in order to guarantee food quality and safety.