Pesticide residue
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Pesticide residue refers to the pesticides that may remain on or in food after they are applied to food crops.[1] The levels of these residues in foods is often stipulated by regulatory bodies in many countries.
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[edit] Pesticide residue by country
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[edit] European Union
In September 2008, the European Union issued new and revised Maximum Residue Limits (MRLs) for the roughly 1,100 pesticides ever used in the world. The revision was intended to simplify the previous system, under which certain pesticide residues were regulated by the Commission, others were regulated by Member States, and others were not regulated at all.[2]
[edit] New Zealand
Food Standards Australia New Zealand develops the standards for levels of pesticide residues in foods through a consultation process. The New Zealand Food Safety Authority publishes the maximum limits of pesticide residues for foods produced in New Zealand.[3]
[edit] United Kingdom
Monitoring of pesticide residues in the UK began in the 1950s. From 1977 to 2000 the work was carried out by the Working Party on Pesticide Residues (WPPR), until in 2000 the work was taken over by the Pesticide Residue Committee (PRC). The PRC advise the government through the Pesticides Safety Directorate and the Food Standards Agency (FSA)[4].
[edit] United States
In the US, tolerances for the amount of pesticide residue that may remain on food are set by the EPA, and measures are taken to keep pesticide residues below the tolerances. The US EPA has a web page for the allowable tolerances.[5] In the US, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and USDA also routinely check food for the actual levels of pesticide residues.
[edit] See also
- Food safety
- Environmental effects of pesticides
- Environmental issues with agriculture
- List of environmental issues
[edit] References
- ^ International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry. "pesticide residue". Compendium of Chemical Terminology Internet edition.
- ^ European Commission. (2008). Plant Protection - Pesticide Residues. Fact Sheet.
- ^ "Food Standards". New Zealand Food Safety Authority. http://www.nzfsa.govt.nz/policy-law/legislation/food-standards/. Retrieved 2009-02-20.
- ^ [1]
- ^ [2]
[edit] External links
- International Maximum Residue Level Database
- UK Pesticides Safety Directorate
- List of websites that specify pesticide residue limits
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