Monitoring pesticide and cadmium residues in fresh fruit and vegetables 2000-01 report

This page represents a summary of a report compiled by NSW Agriculture on the results of the pesticide residue and cadmium monitoring program in horticultural commodities distributed through the Sydney Markets from November 2000 to June 2001.

For the full report, or for more information, please contact Sandra Hardy, District Horticulturist (Fruit), Gosford.

Introduction

The efficient and sustainable production of fruit and vegetables in Australia necessitates the control of pests, diseases and weeds. This control is partly achieved through the strategic and cost-effective use of pesticides. The registration of pesticides and the establishment of Maximum Residue Limits (MRL) seeks to prescribe the maximum residues that should occur in Australian fruit and vegetable produce when the pesticides are used according to good agricultural practice and the label directions are followed. The establishment of a Maximum Permitted Concentration (MPC) for cadmium in root and leafy vegetables (as well as many other commodities) is the level above which there could be health implications. NSW Agriculture and Sydney Markets Limited (SML) have continued to fund the Pesticide Residue Survey since its inception in 1989. Details of previous surveys can be found in the publications listed in the Reference Section of the report. Between 1989 and 2000, more than 97% of all samples met the MRL standard (98.3% in 1989-92, 98.4% in 1992-95, 98.1% in 1995-96 and 95.3% in 1997-00). This report discusses the results of the pesticide residue and cadmium monitoring program in horticultural commodities distributed through the Sydney Markets from November 2000 to June 2001.

Summary of Report

Some 336 samples, comprising 44 different fresh fruit and vegetables, were purchased from Sydney Markets between November 2000 and June 2001. The samples were analysed for residues of 26 pesticides with some samples also tested for the heavy metal, cadmium. Pesticide residues were either absent or complied with the Maximum Residue Limit (MRL) in 97.6% of samples. Only eight samples (2.4%) contained pesticide residues which exceeded the MRL, with another seven samples with residues between 50% and 100% MRL. Of the 37 samples analysed for the heavy metal cadmium, none were above the Maximum Permitted Concentration (MPC) for cadmium. This shows a further decline from the 1997-00 data of 1.1%.

Summary of results (excluding cadmium)