Pesticide Residues in Food: Attitudes, Beliefs, and Misconceptions among Conventional and Organic Consumers

ABSTRACT Pesticide use and pesticide residues in foods have been the subject of controversial public discussions and media coverage in Germany. Against this background, a better understanding of public risk perceptions is needed to promote efficient public health communication. To this end, this study captures the German public's perception of pesticide residues in foods. A representative sample of the population aged 14 years and older (n = 1,004) was surveyed via computer-assisted telephone interviewing on their attitudes and knowledge with regard to pesticide residues. Based on questions regarding their typical consumer behavior, respondents were classified into conventional and organic consumers to identify differences as well as similarities between these two consumer types. As assessed with an open-ended question, both organic and conventional consumers viewed pesticides, chemicals, and toxins as the greatest threats to food quality and safety. Evaluating the risks and benefits of pesticide use, more than two-thirds of organic consumers (70%) rated the risks as greater than the benefits, compared with just over one-half of conventional consumers (53%). Concern about the detection of pesticide residues in the food chain and bodily fluids was significantly higher among organic compared with conventional consumers. Only a minority of respondents was aware that legal limits for pesticide residues (referred to as maximum residue levels) exist, with 69% of organic and 61% of conventional consumers believing that the presence of pesticide residues in foods is generally not permitted. A lack of awareness of maximum residue levels was associated with heightened levels of concern about pesticide residues. Finally, general exposure to media reporting on pesticide residues was associated with more frequent knowledge of legal limits for pesticide residues, whereas actively seeking information on pesticide residues was not. The possible mechanisms underlying these findings are discussed.

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Pesticide residues in cow’s milk

Mljekarstvo ◽

10.15567/mljekarstvo.2021.0302 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 71 (3) ◽

pp. 165-174

Author(s):

Milivoje Ćosić ◽

Keyword(s):

Pesticide Residues ◽

Large Series ◽

The Other ◽

Milk Samples ◽

Commission Regulation ◽

Maximum Residue Levels ◽

Residue Levels ◽

Quality Of Milk

Quality of milk plays a key role in its wide consumption but also of its involvement in a large series of derived products, such as yogurt, cheese, butter, and ice cream. An effective LC-MS/MS method has been validated for the determination of 81 different pesticide residues in milk samples. The analyses comprised 44 milk samples collected during 2019. From all inspected pesticides, only metalaxyl (present in 11.36 % samples), bifenthrin and metolachlor (9.09 %), dimethoate (4.55 %), prochloraz and thiacloprid were detected in 2.27 % of analysed samples. The detections of trifloxystrobin and bifenthrin were above the maximum residue levels (MRLs). The Commission Regulation (EU) 2017/1135 standardizes the MRLs for dimethoate and omethoate in certain products, but a MRL for dimethoate residues in milk has not been established jet. All the other pesticide detections were below the MRLs.

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Quantitative analysis of fresh tomatoes (Solanum lycopersicum) for trace of pesticide residues from markets in Peshawar, Pakistan, using High Performance Thin Liquid Chromatography technique

Science and Technology Development Journal ◽

10.32508/stdj.v23i3.2470 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 23 (3) ◽

pp. 708-714

Author(s):

Syeda Kokab Shah ◽

Syeda Faryal Israr ◽

Asif Khan Khatak ◽

Abeer Kazmi ◽

Amir Ali ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Liquid Chromatography ◽

Solanum Lycopersicum ◽

Pesticide Residues ◽

High Performance ◽

Fruits And Vegetables ◽

Phase 1 ◽

Research Work ◽

Efficient Approach ◽

Maximum Residue Levels ◽

Residue Levels

Background: Vegetables and fruits are vital constituents of human diet, as it provides necessary minerals and nutrients to human body to carry out biological reactions and provide protection against various diseases and injuries. Solanum lycopersicum (tomato) is consider as cash crop in Asian countries and are fine source of vitamin C, potassium, folate, vitamin K, and other bioactive compounds including, phenolics, flavonoids, carotenoids, and alkaloids. Similar to other crops, tomato quality and yield is also affected by pests. Globally, approximately 37.8% of tomato yield is spoiled due to pests. To maintain the vegetable quality and attain more yield, pest management approaches are applied, though extensive use of toxic pesticides are becoming a part of our food chain and causing adverse effects. Methodology: The present research is intended to evaluate the levels of toxic pesticides in different tomato varieties collected from four vegetable markets (Hayatabad Phase 1, Chargano Chowk, Kohat Road and Tarnab farm) in Peshawar, Pakistan. After collection of tomato samples, level of pesticide residues (Cyhalothrin, Cypermethrin, Chlorpyrifos, Bifenthrin, and Imidacloprid) were detected using high performance thin liquid Chromatography (HPTLC). Results: After detection, level of pesticides in sample was compared with Maximum residue levels (MRLs). The magnitude of pesticides in samples was lesser to the Maximum residue levels (MRLs) provided by United State Drug Agency (USDA), though the quantity of Lambda Cyhalothrin present in the sample was almost equal to MRL (0.097 mg/kg). Conclusion: HPTLC is an efficient approach to detect pesticide traces in fruits and vegetables. Research work should be focused on it, to identify and control farmer practices which are highly linked to pesticide contamination in tomatoes and use of biopesticides should be encouraged. The cultivation of transgenic tomatoes can also be an efficient approach to elude the utilization of toxic pesticides.

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Analysis of Multi-Pesticide Residues and Dietary Risk Assessment in Fresh Tomatoes (Lycopersicum esculentum) from Local Supermarkets of the Metropolitan Region, Chile

Toxics ◽

10.3390/toxics9100249 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 9 (10) ◽

pp. 249

Author(s):

Sebastian Elgueta ◽

Marcela Valenzuela ◽

Marcela Fuentes ◽

Pilar Ulloa ◽

Cecilia Ramos ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Risk Assessment ◽

Pesticide Residues ◽

Daily Intake ◽

Metropolitan Region ◽

Potential Health ◽

Dietary Risk ◽

Fresh Vegetables ◽

Maximum Residue Levels ◽

Residue Levels ◽

Dietary Risk Assessment

In recent years, the official authorities in Chile have reported transgressions in the maximum residue levels of pesticides in fresh vegetables. There is no official information about traceability, pesticide levels, and potential health risks. The aim of this study was to analyse pesticide residues and their corresponding dietary risk assessments in tomatoes from supermarkets in the Metropolitan Region. Pesticides were extracted using the Quick, Easy, Cheap, Effective, Rugged and Safe, QuEChERS method, and their concentrations were determined by using chromatography with HPLC-FL/UV and GC-MS/ECD/NPD, following the Analytical Quality Control and Method Validation Procedures for Pesticides Residues Analysis in Food and Feed, SANTE guide and ISO 17025:2017 standard. In addition, a dietary risk assessment was carried out by comparing Chilean data to international references. The results reported that 9% of the samples had pesticide residue levels above the maximum residue levels permitted in Chile. All the scenarios evaluated revealed the highest estimated daily intake and hazard quotients for methamidophos and chlorpyrifos. Both the active substances used were acetylcholinesterase inhibitors and were neurotoxic under chronic risk assessment. The results showed the highest chronic hazard index in the Chilean scenario for all age groups and genders. The evidence obtained revealed that methamidophos, methomyl, and chlorpyrifos should be restricted for their use in Chilean agriculture.

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An quantificational method for 51 pesticide residues determination in Pu'er tea by LC-MS/MS

Electronics Science Technology and Application ◽

10.18686/esta.v4i1.33 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 4 (1) ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Xudong Wu ◽

Zeyu Chen ◽

Jiankang Zhang ◽

Hongping Man ◽

Tao Che ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Pesticide Residues ◽

Black Tea ◽

The European Union ◽

Acceptable Range ◽

Maximum Residue Levels ◽

Residues Determination ◽

Residue Levels ◽

Linear Concentration Range ◽

Linear Concentration

<p>Pesticide residues in tea is a major issue due to their widely used in tea cultivation. Thus, to protect consumers, an appropriate method for determination of their residues in tea should be done. In this study, a method for the simultaneous determination of 51 pesticides in tea was developed and validated. The tea sample was extracted by acetonitrile and purified SPE clearnet TPT column followed by liquid chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry (LC–MS/MS) with multi-reaction monitoring (MRM) mode. The method was validated according to the linearity, limit of detention, precision, the percentage of recovery at three different spike levels. The linear concentration range used was 10-100ng/ mL, the square of Correlation coefficient r2 was more than >0.995. Recoveries were adequate being in the acceptable range of 72-89% and RSD of <19 % for all the analytes at three level of 0.01,0.05 and 0.11mg/kg, the LOD of all chemicals from 0.001 mg/kg to 0.01 mg/kg .The method was applied for the determination for 400 tea samples collected from Pu'er which contain green tea and black tea. Among the analyzed samples , 36 % samples had Imidacloprid and 25% sample contain Acetamiprid, which were at a level below the European Union maximum residue levels (EU-MRLs). The information would be beneficial for Pu'er tea exporters.</p>

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Correlation Between Total DDT Residues in Blood and Fat of Beef Animals1

Journal of Food Protection ◽

10.4315/0362-028x-42.12.948 ◽

1979 ◽

Vol 42 (12) ◽

pp. 948-949 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

M. DE CAMPOS ◽

C. E. GUTIERREZ B. ◽

A. E. OLSZYNA-MARZYS

Keyword(s):

Liquid Chromatography ◽

Correlation Coefficient ◽

Organochlorine Pesticides ◽

Pesticide Residues ◽

Regression Line ◽

Blood Analysis ◽

Gas Liquid Chromatography ◽

Legal Limits ◽

Major Food ◽

Residue Levels

In Guatemala, where in certain regions heavily pesticide-sprayed cotton fields are interspersed with pastures for cattle, pesticide residues in beef fat represent a problem. Organochlorine pesticides are still widely used and even if the use of DDT has been decreasing over the last few years, this pesticide is still a major food contaminant. The present study was undertaken to establish if a correlation between total DDT levels in blood and fat could be found. Samples of blood and fat from 30 bovines were analyzed by gas-liquid chromatography. The “ppm in fat/ppb in blood” ratio was calculated to be 0.96 ± 0.39 (mean ± S.D.), the regression line to be Y = 2.54 + 0.61 X (Y = ppb in blood, X = ppm in fat) and the correlation coefficient to be 0.889. It was established that blood analysis may be used to estimate, before slaughter, if the residue levels in the fat are exceeding the legal limits.

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Pesticide residues analysis in farm gate vegetables of agricultural areas in Tumakuru district, Karnataka, India

Journal of Applied and Natural Science ◽

10.31018/jans.v13i4.2879 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 13 (4) ◽

pp. 1437-1444

Author(s):

B. S. Shylesha ◽

Mahesh. M. ◽

V. N. Yoganandamurthy

Keyword(s):

Mass Spectrometry ◽

Gas Chromatography ◽

Pesticide Residues ◽

Gas Chromatography Mass Spectrometry ◽

Detection Level ◽

Adverse Impacts ◽

Maximum Residue Levels ◽

Residue Levels ◽

Toxicity Level ◽

Agricultural Areas

The main purpose of this experiment was to understand pesticide residues persistence and their toxicity level in vegetables. In the present study pesticide residues in tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) and capsicum (Capsium annuum L.) vegetables cultivated in Tumakuru, Gubbi, Kunigal and Pavagada taluks in Tumkur district were analysed. In methodology, samples of 1 kg each were collected, cut into small pieces, macerated in a grinder and used for the analysis. Pesticides were quantified by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Results showed tomato samples of Pavagada recorded acephate (0.346 mg/kg), dichlorvos (0.189 mg/kg), fenvalerate (0.057 mg/kg) and Tumakuru samples recorded phorate (0.072 mg/kg) residues higher than MRLs (Maximum residue levels). Chlorpyrifos, cyhalothrin-g and cypermethrin were below detection level (BDL) in all the samples. Cyfluthrin-β recorded highest in Kunigal samples (0.294 mg/kg), Tumakuru and Gubbi samples showed BDL. Deltamethrin was highest in Pavagada (0.296 mg/kg) samples and Tumakuru and Kunigal samples revealed BDL. Pavagada samples (0.026 mg/kg) showed monocrotophos residues higher than MRLs. In capsicum samples, acephate residue was highest in Tumakuru samples (0.333 mg/kg), highest chlorpyrifos (0.153 mg/kg) in Kunigal samples, deltamethrin (0.381 mg/kg), fenvalerate (0.168 mg/kg) and phorate (0.089 mg/kg) residues were higher than MRLs in Pavagada samples. Cyfluthrin-β (0.045 mg/kg) was high in Tumakuru and dichlorvos (0.042 mg/kg) high in Pavagada samples. Cyhalothrin-g, cypermethrin and monocrotophos were BDL in all the samples. An attempt has been made to assess the different pesticides usage and their adverse impacts on vegetables, which are backbone to afford assistance for an extensive array of investigators.

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Estimation of Pesticide Residues in Selected Products of Plant Origin from Poland with the Use of the HPLC-MS/MS Technique

Agriculture ◽

10.3390/agriculture10060192 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 10 (6) ◽

pp. 192 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Grażyna Kowalska ◽

Urszula Pankiewicz ◽

Radosław Kowalski

Keyword(s):

Pesticide Residues ◽

High Performance ◽

Mass Spectrometry Analysis ◽

Tandem Mass ◽

Plant Origin ◽

Spectrometry Analysis ◽

Tandem Mass Spectrometry Analysis ◽

Maximum Residue Levels ◽

Residue Levels ◽

Estimation Of Pesticide

The purpose of this work was to compare the content of pesticide residues (250) in unprocessed plant products from farms situated in the eastern part of Poland. The content of pesticide residues in the analysed samples was assayed with the use of the QuEChERS (Quick Easy Cheap Effective Rugged Safe) method combined with HPLC-MS/MS (high performance liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry) analysis. The analyses revealed that among 160 analysed samples, pesticide residues were detected in 83 samples (approximately 52%), while in 77 samples (approximately 48%), no presence of those substances was noted. In all the samples in which the presence of the sought compounds was identified, their levels did not exceed the Maximum Residue Levels (MRL). The most often identified ones were azoxystrobin—detected in 36 samples (22.5%), linuron—assayed in 33 samples (20.6%), chlorpyrifos and carbendazim—each detected in 13 samples (8.1%), metalaxyl and metalaxyl M—in 11 samples (6.9%), and acetamiprid—in 7 samples (4.4%).

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Acephate and methamidophos residues in greenhouse and in field grown tomatoes

Horticultura Brasileira ◽

10.1590/s0102-05362005000100008 ◽

2005 ◽

Vol 23 (1) ◽

pp. 38-43 ◽

Cited By ~ 7

Author(s):

Luiz Roberto P. Trevizan ◽

Gilberto C. de Baptista ◽

Geraldo Papa

Keyword(s):

Gas Chromatography ◽

Open Field ◽

Pesticide Residues ◽

Sampling Period ◽

Soil Samples ◽

Tomato Crop ◽

Flame Photometric Detector ◽

Protected Cultivation ◽

Maximum Residue Levels ◽

Residue Levels

Increasing horticultural production under protected cultivation requires more detailed studies about the occurence of pesticide residues, due to the special and peculiar environment under controlled conditions, in which some pests, that are of little concern in the field, become important. The insecticide acephate and its methamidophos metabolite residues were evaluated in greenhouse-grown tomatoes and compared to an open-field tomato crop. The treatments: (a) check; (b) one application of 75 g a.i. acephate.100 L-1 water; (c) one application of 150 g a.i.100 L-1 water; (d) four applications of 75 g a.i.100 L-1 water were evaluated. Fruit, leaf and soil samples were taken at (-1), zero, 1, 3, 7, 14, 21 days after the last or only application. The quantitative determinations were done by gas chromatography, using flame-photometric detector. The acephate and methamidophos residues in fruits harvested in the greenhouse and in the field were always below their respective maximum residue levels (MRL) during the whole sampling period. The metabolism of acephate into methamidophos was very low in fruits, especially important in leaves, but not well characterized in soil. Acephate residues were higher in the greenhouse than in the field, especially in leaves and soil, showing stability and persistence up to the 7-day-sampling after application.

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