title: Pesticide Residue Monitoring on South African Fresh Produce Exported over a 6-Year Period.
abstract: Six years of pesticide residue data from fresh produce destined for the export market were analyzed for the period 2009 to 2014. A total of 37,838 fruit (99.27%) and vegetable (0.73%) data sets analyzed for the presence of 73 pesticides were compared. Pesticides were detected on 56.46% of samples, of which 0.78% had multiple residues. Noncompliances detected were because of the use of unregistered pesticides (0.73%), values that exceeded established maximum residue levels (MRLs) (0.32%), or the combination of values that exceeded MRLs and the use of unregistered pesticide residues (0.003%). The most commonly detected pesticides that exceeded established MRLs were imazalil (37.71%), prochloraz (28.69%), and iprodione (5.74%). The unregistered pesticide most often found on grapes and avocados was also imazalil (62.23%) and, on nectarines and avocados, diphenylamine (11.15%). Exceedances of MRL values were mostly associated with oranges (43.44%), avocados (27.87%), grapefruits (7.38%), and lemons (6.56%). Residual pesticide monitoring on fruits and vegetables is a key tool to ensure conformity with regulatory requirements and compliance with good agricultural practices and the trade requirements set by the importing country.
authors.affiliation: Department of Plant Science, Institute for Food Nutrition and Well-Being, University of Pretoria, Private Bag X20, Hatfield, 0028, South Africa.
authors.forename: M T
authors.initials: MT
authors.lastname: Mutengwe
authors.affiliation: Department of Plant Science, Institute for Food Nutrition and Well-Being, University of Pretoria, Private Bag X20, Hatfield, 0028, South Africa.
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Chidamba
authors.affiliation: Department of Plant Science, Institute for Food Nutrition and Well-Being, University of Pretoria, Private Bag X20, Hatfield, 0028, South Africa.
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Korsten
mesh_terms: D000620:Aminoimidazole Carboxamide / Q000031:analogs & derivatives; D005506:Food Contamination; D005638:Fruit / Q000737:chemistry; D006827:Hydantoins; D010573:Pesticide Residues; D010575:Pesticides; D014675:Vegetables / Q000737:chemistry*
chemical_list: D006827:Hydantoins; D010573:Pesticide Residues; D010575:Pesticides; D000620:Aminoimidazole Carboxamide; C033148:iprodione
keywords: Fruits and vegetables; Maximum residue levels; Monitoring of pesticides; Unregistered agricultural chemical products