Quarter 3 2023 report on the pesticide residues monitoring programme: findings by food in Northern Ireland and risk assessments
Updated 25 September 2024
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This publication is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/pesticide-residues-in-food-quarterly-monitoring-results-for-2023/quarter-3-2023-report-on-the-pesticide-residues-monitoring-programme-findings-by-food-in-northern-ireland-and-risk-assessments
Summary
For more information on the results, read the:
- summary table of results
- survey design
- glossary
- HSE assessment of risk
- detailed pesticide residues in food quarterly data, which includes brand name, sampling point and origin information, pesticides sought and residues found
Fish (oily)
Samples tested
12 samples were tested for up to 39 pesticide residues.
Mackerel
3 samples were imported from outside the EU.
Salmon
One sample came from the UK. 5 samples were imported from outside the EU,
Trout
2 samples came from the UK. One sample was imported from outside the EU.
Where no sea area information is available, the country of origin on the packaging does not necessarily indicate where the fish was caught or farmed. It could be where it was landed, processed or where it was packed for retail.
Pesticide residues detected from those sought
8 samples contained no residues from those sought. 4 samples contained residues above the reporting level. None of the samples contained residues above the maximum residue level (MRL). None of the samples were labelled as organic.
Risk assessments
The residues detected by the laboratory would not be expected to have an effect on health.
Combined risk assessments
None of the samples contained more than one residue, so we did not carry out a combined risk assessment.
Additional comments by the Expert Committee on Pesticide Residues in Food (PRiF)
DDT
Two samples of salmon and one sample of mackerel contained residues of DDT. The use of DDT is banned or heavily restricted in many countries because these residues take a long time to breakdown in the environment and can accumulate in fatty tissue.
An interpretation of the analytical results shows that the DDT residue found was in the form of DDE which indicates historical use. In farmed fish, the residue may originate in fishmeal fed to farmed salmon rather than the local environment. More detailed information about DDT residues can be found in the Issues arising in this report section.
BAC
One sample of salmon contained residues of BAC. This substance is widely used as biocides (disinfectants) during food preparation and processing. This is the most likely source of the residue.
Liver
Samples tested
31 samples were tested for up to 40 pesticide residues.
Cattle/Cow
10 samples came from the UK.
Chicken
5 samples came from the UK.
Lamb
7 samples came from the UK. 2 samples were imported from outside the EU.
Ox
5 samples came from the UK.
Pig
2 samples came from the UK.
The country of origin of samples may not be the same as the country where the liver was produced. It may be where the liver was processed, where it was packed for consumer purchase or the address of the brand owner.
Pesticide residues detected from those sought
29 samples contained no residues from those sought. 2 samples contained residues above the reporting level. None of the samples contained residues above the MRL. None of the samples were labelled as organic.
Risk assessments
The residues detected by the laboratory would not be expected to have an effect on health.
Combined risk assessments
None of the samples contained more than one residue, so we did not carry out a combined risk assessment.
Additional comments by the PRiF
BAC
One sample of lamb’s liver and one sample of pork liver contained a residue of BAC. This substance is widely used as a biocide (disinfectant) during food preparation and processing. This is the most likely source of the residue.
Milk
Samples tested
21 samples were tested for up to 39 pesticide residues.
Cows milk
19 samples came from the UK.
Goats milk
2 samples came from the UK.
Pesticide residues detected from those sought
21 samples contained no residues from those sought. None of the samples contained residues above the MRL. 11 samples were labelled as organic. None contained residues from those sought.
Risk assessments
The laboratory did not detect any residues, so we did not carry out a risk assessment.
Additional comments by the PRiF
None.
Poultry Meat
Samples tested
12 samples were tested for up to 43 pesticide residues.
Chicken
7 samples came from the UK. One sample came from the EU.
Turkey
One sample came from the UK. 3 samples came from the EU.
The country of origin of samples may not be the same as the country where the poultry was produced. It may be where the poultry was processed, where it was packed for consumer purchase or the address of the brand owner.
Pesticide residues detected from those sought
12 samples contained no residues from those sought. None of the samples contained residues above the MRL. None of the samples were labelled as organic.
Risk assessments
The laboratory did not detect any residues, so we did not carry out a risk assessment.
Additional comments by the PRiF
None.
Risk assessment - dietary intake assessments
The Short-term dietary risk assessment – single substance assessments where exceedance of the Acute Reference Dose (ARfD) has been identified during screening section includes risk assessments that cover NI residues.
This document is part 3 of 4 of the Quarter 3 2023 report.