title: [Survey of pesticide residues in imported spices and herbs (1997.4-2011.3)].
abstract: A survey of pesticide residues in 313 samples of imported spices and herbs on the Tokyo market from April 1997 to March 2011 was carried out. Thirty-seven kinds of pesticides, including organophosphorus, organochlorine, pyrethroid, carbamate and others, were detected between levels of trace (below 0.01 ppm) and 3.3 ppm from 64 samples. The rate of detection was highest in peel (100%) followed by stem (66.7%), fruit (34.5%), bark (33.3%), flower (31.3%) and leaf (14.7%). No residues were detected in root, seed or whole grass. Organochlorine pesticides were detected in all plant parts. The insecticides were detected in products from all production areas, suggesting that their use is common. Residue levels of these pesticides were calculated as less than 1% of their ADI values, based on the daily intake of spices and herbs. Therefore, these spices and herbs should be safe when consumed in customary amounts.
authors.affiliation: Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Public Health.
authors.forename: Maki
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kobayashi
authors.forename: Kenji
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Ohtsuka
authors.forename: Yasuhiro
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Tamura
authors.forename: Sanae
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Tomizawa
authors.forename: Teruaki
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Kinoshita
authors.forename: Kyoko
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kamijo
authors.forename: Keiko
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Iwakoshi
authors.forename: Chizuko
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Sato
authors.forename: Toshihiro
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Nagayama
authors.forename: Ichiro
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Takano
mesh_terms: D002219:Carbamates / Q000032:analysis; D002849:Chromatography, Gas; D002851:Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; D005506:Food Contamination / Q000032:analysis* / Q000517:prevention & control*; D064088:Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points / Q000379:methods*; D006843:Hydrocarbons, Chlorinated / Q000032:analysis; D019055:No-Observed-Adverse-Effect Level; D009943:Organophosphorus Compounds / Q000032:analysis; D010573:Pesticide Residues / Q000032:analysis* / Q000633:toxicity; D010946:Plants, Medicinal / Q000737:chemistry*; D011358:Product Surveillance, Postmarketing / Q000379:methods*; D011722:Pyrethrins / Q000032:analysis; D017365:Spices / Q000032:analysis*; D014041:Tokyo
chemical_list: D002219:Carbamates; D006843:Hydrocarbons, Chlorinated; D009943:Organophosphorus Compounds; D010573:Pesticide Residues; D011722:Pyrethrins