Cyprus laboratory finds pesticide residues above EU limits in 13.1% of plant food samples
The state general laboratory’s report found 61 of 466 plant food samples exceeded EU pesticide limits, with exposure above acute toxicity thresholds in several cases.
Nicosia, Cyprus. Testing last year found pesticide residues above EU limits in 13.1 per cent of plant food samples in Cyprus, according to a report released on Friday by the state general laboratory.
Compliance and sample origins
The laboratory reported that 61 out of 466 samples failed to comply. A further 34 samples, representing 7.3 per cent, breached legal requirements after accounting for measurement uncertainty, meaning they would not ordinarily have been permitted onto the market.
Of the plant samples tested, domestic products accounted for 52.2 per cent, while 18 per cent originated elsewhere in the EU and 28.5 per cent came from outside the bloc.
The report put the rate for processed foods at 13.9 per cent. Among fresh produce, vegetables had the highest rate, at 9.8 per cent, compared with fruit at 6 per cent. The figure for tea, herbs and spices was 3.8 per cent, while cereals and legumes recorded 1.5 per cent.
Exposure above acute toxicity thresholds
In seven samples, the report found exposure above the acute toxicity reference dose for both adults and children. These included findings of cypermethrin in spinach and grapes.
Three additional cases exceeded that threshold for children only. One other case, involving brined vine leaves, exceeded it for adults.
Acetamiprid appeared most often, with a detection rate of 13.5 per cent. Cypermethrin followed at 11.8 per cent, ahead of tebuconazole at 11.2 per cent, according to the laboratory.
Findings in organic and animal products
The report also identified residues in 18 out of 85 organic samples. Affected products included peaches, kiwis, oats, barley and dried mint.
Of 83 animal samples examined, 14.5 per cent had detectable residues. Amitraz was present in seven of the nine honey samples containing residues. Testing also detected DDT at low levels in sheep muscle tissue and pyridate in pork fat.
The laboratory classified one honey sample as non-compliant, prompting follow-up at the premises involved.
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