Research and analysis

Quarter 3 2023 report on the pesticide residues monitoring programme: introduction, results summary and actions taken by HSE

Updated 25 September 2024

Chair’s comments

During this year’s surveillance programme, we are measuring up to 414 different pesticides in each of the foods we survey. The Quarter 3 programme for Great Britain surveyed 797 samples of 24 different foods (see findings by food in Great Britain for a full list). The majority of samples were collected between the beginning of July and the end of September 2023. The Quarter 3 programme for Northern Ireland products of animal origin surveyed 76 samples of 4 different foods (see findings by food in Northern Ireland for a full list).

Of the 797 Q3 Great Britain samples, we found residues in 452 of them and of these, 21 samples contained residues over the maximum residue level (MRL). Of the 76 Q3 Northern Ireland products of animal origin samples, we found residues in 6 of them and of these, no samples contained residues over the MRL.

HSE undertakes screening and detailed risk assessments, as required, for the pesticide residues found. This is to determine whether the residues present could lead to someone eating an amount above a level that is considered safe. HSE also produces detailed risk assessments for every case where the actual residue level found could lead to an intake above the safety levels.

Following screening assessment, we needed to consider the potential short-term health effects of only a small minority of the residues found in more detail. In all of these cases, we concluded that effects on health were either unlikely or not expected. Full details are presented in HSE risk assessment methodology. All other residues found did not cause any concern for health.

These detailed considerations on the risk assessments as well as links to underlying information are covered in our reports for dried beans, beans with pods, oranges, rice and soft citrus. We also needed to consider the potential genotoxic health effects of omethoate, dichlorvos, monocrotophos and chlorpyrifos found in a small number of samples. These pesticides are not authorised in the UK but can on occasions be found in some imported food. We concluded that at the levels present, a risk of an adverse effect on health due to genotoxicity would be low.

None of the individual commodity long-term exposure screening assessments performed in this quarter (for each of the pesticides found in this report) indicated any potential for adverse long-term health effects. This was based on the assessment of dietary intakes as below the Acceptable Daily Intake (ADI) or other established long-term health based reference values.

Full details of suppliers and retailers of the food sampled, and full analytical results, are available on data.gov.uk as ODS (Open Document Spreadsheet) files. We hope this data format is useful for people wanting to look at the individual results in more detail.

Since the UK left the EU, we report the results for samples collected in Great Britain (GB) separately from those collected in Northern Ireland (NI). Surveys have been titled throughout the report as either GB or NI to make clear where the samples were collected. Samples collected in GB are subject to GB MRLs. GB MRLs are set by inclusion in a new GB MRL statutory Register, implemented and updated by means of a database. For samples collected in Northern Ireland, certain aspects of EU food law, including compliance with EU set MRLs, continue to apply under the terms of the Windsor Framework. In the detailed data files HSE is, for 2023 results, still separating out EU from non-EU origin foods in the results.

We asked suppliers and the authorities of the exporting countries for an explanation of our findings. Any responses we have received specifically for publication are available in the Sample details section.

If you have any feedback or comments on the monitoring programme or the reports produced, send them to HSE at [email protected].

Ann Davison
Chair of the Expert Committee on Pesticide Residues in Food

Consumer risk summary

HSE screens each residue detected for any consumer health issues to identify which need to be considered in more detail. We comment on any risks HSE considered in detail in our full report, and HSE’s risk assessments are also published.

HSE liaises with the Food Standards Agency (FSA) on consumer risk assessment and the FSA also takes part in our meetings.

Survey title (where samples collected) Number of pesticides sought Samples tested Detailed risk assessment presented? MRL exceedances (samples)
Beans (dried) 414 24 1 1
Beans with pods 405 24 1 4
Bread 408 157 No 0
Carrots 385 30 No 1
Cauliflower 382 12 No 1
Fish (oily) 112 37 No 0
Grapes 406 23 No 0
Infant formula 409 24 No 0
Kiwi fruit 384 30 No 0
Lemons 377 30 No 1
Milk 112 78 No 0
Onions 405 18 No 0
Orange juice 404 24 No 0
Oranges 409 24 3 3
Pears 412 25 No 0
Peas with edible pods 380 29 No 5
Pineapples 381 24 No 0
Potatoes 406 31 No 1
Poultry meat 116 24 No 1
Pulses (dahls/lentils) 408 24 No 2
Rice 414 24 1 0
Snacks (cereal) 403 26 No 0
Soft citrus 406 31 2 1
Spring onions 401 24 No 0
Survey title (where samples collected) Number of pesticides sought Samples tested Detailed risk assessment presented? MRL exceedances (samples)
Fish (oily) 39 12 No 0
Liver 40 31 No 0
Milk 39 21 No 0
Poultry meat 43 12 No 0

Samples collected in GB must comply with GB set MRLs unless the goods are qualifying Northern Ireland goods and are subject to unfettered access under the terms of the UK Internal Market Act 2020. For samples collected in Northern Ireland, under the Windsor Framework, certain aspects of EU food law, including compliance with EU MRLs apply.

Other issues

Suspected unauthorised uses

HSE passed details to the enforcement team of samples grown in Great Britain or Northern Ireland that contained a residue which does not have a plant protection product (PPP) with that active authorised for use on that crop, in Great Britain and Northern Ireland. These were:

  • 2 UK samples of carrots containing linuron - after examination of spray records, HSE concluded that there was no evidence of misuse
  • one UK sample of peas with edible pods containing spinosad. HSE contacted the supplier, the most probable explanation was spray drift from authorised use in adjacent fields in close proximity to the harvest dates. HSE has given appropriate information regarding duties under the PPP legislation.

Details of possible unauthorised uses from previous surveys are provided in issues arising from this report, follow-up from previous reports and plans for the quarter 4 report.

Organic samples with residues

HSE writes to the suppliers of samples of organic produce if they contain a pesticide residue which is not permitted under retained organic regulation Commission Regulation (EC) No 889/2008. Defra’s Organic Farming branch and the organic certification organisation are also informed.

  • one Italian sample of organic carrots containing linuron
  • one UK sample of organic salmon fillets containing DDT

Further information

You can find more information on the individual sample details in the Pesticide Residues in Food Quarterly Data.

This includes:

  • brand name, sampling point and origin information
  • pesticides sought and residues found
  • HSE detailed risk assessments

Introduction to the work of the Expert Committee on Pesticide Residues in Food (PRiF)

The UK Expert Committee on Pesticide Residues in Food (the PRiF) is established to provide independent scientific advice to:

  • Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (Defra)
  • Health and Safety Executive (HSE) (accountable to the Department of Work and Pensions)
  • Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs for Northern Ireland (DAERA)
  • Food Standards Agency (FSA)
  • Scottish Government
  • Welsh Government

Their full terms of reference are available at PRiF Terms of Reference and Code of Practice.

In relation to the published reports this includes advice on:

  1. The government’s presentation of findings resulting from monitoring programmes of pesticide residues in food in Great Britain (GB) and Northern Ireland (NI). In particular to ensure that results can be readily and appropriately understood by the public.

  2. Planned and ad-hoc government programmes to monitor pesticide residues in foodstuffs. In particular on foods to be surveyed (taking account of changing diets), availability of produce, location and frequency of sampling and pesticides to be sought.

  3. The determination of likely causes of adverse findings detected in government (and where relevant other national and international) monitoring programmes for pesticide residues in food.

The PRiF was established in 2011. Members have a broad range of expertise relating to the food supply industry. Previously this work was carried out by the Pesticide Residues Committee.

The chair, Ann Davison, has worked in consumer affairs for most of her career, running consumer organisations and networks. The committee also includes members with expertise in food science, public interest and food production and supply.

Information on the membership of the committee can be found at Expert Committee on Pesticide Residues in Food (PRiF).

UK National Monitoring Programmes

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE), working under Defra, and the Scottish and Welsh Governments’ authority has official responsibility to organise a monitoring programme of GB food for pesticide residues. Similarly, HSE working under the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural affairs authority has official responsibility to organise a monitoring programme of NI food for pesticide residues, including participating in the EU multi-annual control programme.

The programmes are made up of a risk-based rolling programme of surveys and statutory programmes required by GB or EU law. It is a surveillance programme, which is designed based upon evidence gathered in the previous years, including previous results, PRiF advice and border control information. For efficiency reasons, the Northern Ireland programme may differ in that some lower priority (primarily imported) foods or processed foods are not included. If the GB survey identifies issues in these foods, then they would be included in future testing in Northern Ireland.

These surveys are not an enforcement programme, and the survey design is generally not adjusted during the year. HSE are responsible for considering the safety of people who eat the food (in co-operation with the Food Standards Agency if necessary) and for following up adverse or unexpected results. HSE are also responsible for determining whether food is compliant with the law, specifically, whether any pesticide residue found is within the MRL.

MRLs reflect levels of pesticides that could occur in food which has been treated in accordance with good agricultural practice. Where pesticides do not give rise to readily detectable residues, or are not authorised for use on particular commodities, MRLs are set at the lowest level which can be identified in routine laboratory analysis. This provides a mechanism for statutory controls on pesticides in food which is put into circulation and for monitoring the correct use of these chemicals.

Table 2: 2023 Survey design

GB surveys that have an asterisk are a requirement of the Multi-annual Great Britain control plan for pesticide residues.

NI surveys that have an asterisk are a requirement of the EU Coordinated Programme – Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2022/741.

Fruit and vegetables

Food Sampling points Sampled during Reporting
Beans with pods (GB) Retail outlets and Supply chain Quarterly Rolling and quarterly
Beans with pods (NI) Retail outlets Quarterly Quarterly
Brussel sprouts (NI) Retail outlets Quarter 3 and 4 Quarter 3 and 4
Carrot (GB)* Retail outlets and Supply chain Quarterly Quarterly
Carrot (NI)* Retail outlets Quarterly Quarterly
Cauliflower (GB)* Retail outlets Quarterly Quarterly
Cauliflower (NI)* Retail outlets Quarterly Quarterly
Grapes (GB) Retail outlets and Supply chain Quarterly Rolling and quarterly
Grapes (NI) Retail outlets Quarterly Quarterly
Kiwi fruit (GB)* Retail outlets and Supply chain Quarterly Quarterly
Kiwi fruit (NI)* Retail outlets Quarterly Quarterly
Lemons (GB) Retail outlets and Supply chain Quarterly Quarterly
Lemons (NI) Retail outlets Quarterly Quarterly
Onions (GB)* Retail outlets Quarterly Quarterly
Onions (NI)* Retail outlets Quarterly Quarterly
Oranges (GB)* Retail outlets and Supply chain Quarterly Quarterly
Oranges (NI)* Retail outlets Quarterly Quarterly
Pears (GB)* Retail outlets and Supply chain Quarterly Quarterly
Pears (NI)* Retail outlets Quarterly Quarterly
Peas with edible pods (GB) Retail outlets Quarter 1 and 3 Quarter 1 and 3
Peas with edible pods (NI) Retail outlets Quarter 1 and 3 Quarter 1 and 3
Peas without pods (GB) Retail outlets Quarter 2 and 4 Quarter 2 and 4
Peas without pods (NI) Retail outlets Quarter 2 and 4 Quarter 2 and 4
Pineapple (GB) Retail outlets Quarterly Quarterly
Pineapple (NI) Retail outlets Quarterly Quarterly
Potato (GB)* Retail outlets and Supply chain Quarterly Rolling and quarterly
Potato (NI)* Retail outlets Quarterly Quarterly
Soft citrus (GB) Retail outlets and Supply chain Quarterly Quarterly
Soft citrus (NI) Retail outlets Quarterly Quarterly
Spring onions (GB) Retail outlets Quarter 3 Quarter 3
Spring onions (NI) Retail outlets Quarter 2 and 3 Quarter 2 and 3

Animal products

Food Sampling points Sampled during Reporting
Fish (oily) (GB) Retail outlets Quarters 2, 3 and 4 Quarters 2, 3 and 4
Fish (oily) (NI) Retail outlets Quarterly Quarterly
Liver (bovine) (GB)* Retail outlets Quarters 1, 2 and 4 Quarters 1, 2 and 4
Liver (bovine) (NI)* Retail outlets Quarterly Quarters 2, 3 and 4
Milk (GB) Retail outlets Quarterly Quarterly
Milk (NI) Retail outlets Quarterly Quarterly
Poultry meat (GB)* Retail outlets Quarterly Quarterly
Poultry meat (NI)* Retail outlets Quarterly Quarterly

Cereal products

Food Sampling points Sampled during Reporting
Bread (GB) Retail outlets Quarters 2, 3 and 4 Quarter 3 and 4
Bread (NI) Retail outlets Quarters 2, 3 and 4 Quarter 3 and 4
Rice (GB)* Retail outlets Quarterly Quarterly
Rice (NI)* Retail outlets Quarterly Quarterly
Rye flour (GB)* Retail outlets Quarter 2 and 4 Quarter 2 and 4
Rye flour (NI)* Retail outlets Quarterly Quarterly

Miscellaneous products

Food Sampling points Sampled during Reporting
Beans (dried) (GB)* Retail outlets Quarterly Quarterly
Beans (dried) (NI)* Retail outlets Quarterly Quarterly
Crisps (potato based) (GB) Retail outlets Quarter 4 Quarter 4
Infant formula (GB)* Retail outlets Quarter 3 Quarter 3
Infant formula (NI)* Retail outlets Quarter 3 Quarter 3
Orange juice (GB) Retail outlets Quarter 3 and 4 Quarter 3 and 4
Pulses (dahls or lentils) (GB) Retail outlets Quarter 3 Quarter 3
Snacks (cereal based) (GB) Retail outlets Quarter 3 Quarter 3
Snacks (speciality) (GB) Retail outlets Quarter 4 Quarter 4

Sampling points

  • retail outlets: samples bought by market research contractor shoppers
  • supply chain: samples taken by inspectors from the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) from a range of points in the supply chain (wholesalers, retail depots, ports and import points)

Reporting

  • results for certain higher-priority foods are produced, followed up and published more frequently at data.gov.uk
  • all results are published in the quarterly report (some surveys are included in every quarter, some are every other quarter and some in just one quarter)

Some of the results for samples collected in Northern Ireland are running behind the planned reporting schedule. The results will be published as soon as they are available.

Table 3a: Summary of results for Q3 Great Britain

Food Analysed With residues at or below the MRL With residues above the MRL With residues of non-approved pesticides (UK only) With multiple residues Organic samples tested Organic samples with residues
Beans (dried) 24 14 1 0 8 0 0
Beans with pods 24 8 4 0 9 1 0
Bread 157 150 0 0 79 1 0
Carrot 30 12 1 2 7 10 1
Cauliflower 12 4 1 0 0 0 0
Fish (oily) 37 6 0 0 0 1 1
Grapes 23 23 0 0 22 0 0
Infant formula 24 0 0 0 0 1 0
Kiwi fruit 30 20 0 0 4 2 0
Lemons 30 26 1 0 27 3 0
Milk 78 1 0 0 0 20 0
Onions 18 3 0 0 0 8 0
Orange juice 24 3 0 0 2 3 0
Oranges 24 19 3 0 22 2 0
Pears 25 23 0 0 20 2 0
Peas with edible pods 29 16 5 1 14 0 0
Pineapples 24 18 0 0 8 0 0
Potatoes 31 9 1 0 3 0 0
Poultry meat 24 0 1 0 0 1 0
Pulses (dahls or lentils) 24 17 2 0 15 3 0
Rice 24 11 0 0 6 5 0
Snacks (cereal based) 26 6 0 0 0 2 0
Soft citrus 31 28 1 0 29 2 0
Spring onions 24 14 0 0 9 5 0

Table 3b: Summary of results for Q3 Northern Ireland products of animal origin

Food Analysed With residues at or below the MRL With residues above the MRL With residues of non- approved pesticides (UK only) With multiple residues Organic samples tested Organic samples with residues
Fish (oily) 12 4 0 0 0 0 0
Liver 31 2 0 0 0 0 0
Milk 21 0 0 0 0 11 0
Poultry meat 12 0 0 0 0 0 0

Table 4: Summary of MRL Exceedances for Q3 Great Britain

Some shorthand has been used in this table. The symbol * means maximum residue levels set at the limit of determination (LOD MRL). These MRLs are set at a default level, for example, at the limit of determination (LOD) where analytical methods can reasonably detect the presence of the pesticide. Either insufficient trials data are available on which to set a maximum residue level, or there may be no use of the pesticide on that crop permitted. However, they may be permitted elsewhere.

Beans (dried)

Sample ID Food Country of origin Pesticide detected Residue detected (mg per kg) MRL (mg per kg) MRL exceedance after allowing for measurement uncertainty Sent to FSA for consideration
4068/2023 Black eye beans UK chlorpyrifos 0.02 0.01* Yes Yes
4068/2023 Black eye beans UK fosetyl-Al (sum) 2.5 2* No No

Beans with pods

Sample ID Food Country of origin Pesticide detected Residue detected (mg per kg) MRL (mg per kg) MRL exceedance after allowing for measurement uncertainty Sent to FSA for consideration
0212/2023 Gwar beans India thiophanate-methyl 0.3 0.1* Yes No
0458/2023 Yard long beans Thailand bifenthrin 0.03 0.01* Yes No
0458/2023 Yard long beans Thailand diflubenzuron 0.06 0.01* Yes No
0458/2023 Yard long beans Thailand dimethomorph 0.3 0.01* Yes No
0458/2023 Yard long beans Thailand fipronil (sum) 0.07 0.005* Yes No
0458/2023 Yard long beans Thailand omethoate 0.2 0.01* Yes Yes
0458/2023 Yard long beans Thailand prochloraz (sum) 0.1 0.03* Yes No
0458/2023 Yard long beans Thailand propiconazole 0.06 0.01* Yes No
0698/2023 Guar beans India thiophanate-methyl 0.3 0.1* Yes No
6556/2023 Valore papdi beans India monocrotophos 0.2 0.01* Yes Yes

Carrots

Sample ID Food Country of origin Pesticide detected Residue detected (mg per kg) MRL (mg per kg) MRL exceedance after allowing for measurement uncertainty Sent to FSA for consideration
0183/2023 Carrots UK linuron 0.02 0.01* No No

Cauliflower

Sample ID Food Country of origin Pesticide detected Residue detected (mg per kg) MRL (mg per kg) MRL exceedance after allowing for measurement uncertainty Sent to FSA for consideration
1034/2023 Frozen cauliflower florets UK chlorate 0.08 0.06 No No

Lemons

Sample ID Food Country of origin Pesticide detected Residue detected (mg per kg) MRL (mg per kg) MRL exceedance after allowing for measurement uncertainty Sent to FSA for consideration
0681/2023 Lemons South Africa buprofezin 0.02 0.01* Yes No

Oranges

Sample ID Food Country of origin Pesticide detected Residue detected (mg per kg) MRL (mg per kg) MRL exceedance after allowing for measurement uncertainty Sent to FSA for consideration
2271/2023 Blood oranges South Africa glufosinate (sum) 0.3 0.05 Yes No
2333/2023 Valencia oranges South Africa chlorfenapyr 0.02 0.01* No No
6558/2023 Late navel oranges South Africa ethephon 0.07 0.05* No No

Peas with edible pods

Sample ID Food Country of origin Pesticide detected Residue detected (mg per kg) MRL (mg per kg) MRL exceedance after allowing for measurement uncertainty Sent to FSA for consideration
2915/2023 Tender and crisp mange tout Peru chlorothalonil 0.03 0.01* Yes No
2915/2023 Tender and crisp mange tout Peru Iprodione 0.06 0.01* Yes No
0838/2023 Trimmed sugar snap peas Kenya chlorothalonil 0.09 0.01* Yes No
0900/2023 Trimmed sugar snap peas Peru fipronil (sum) 0.007 0.005* No No
0934/2023 Trimmed sugar snap peas Kenya chlorothalonil 0.08 0.01* Yes No
4245/2023 Sugar snaps Kenya chlorothalonil 0.3 0.01* Yes No

Potatoes

Sample ID Food Country of origin Pesticide detected Residue detected (mg per kg) MRL (mg per kg) MRL exceedance after allowing for measurement uncertainty Sent to FSA for consideration
0279/2023 Cara potatoes Egypt haloxyfop (sum) 0.03 0.01* Yes No

Poultry meat

Sample ID Food Country of origin Pesticide detected Residue detected (mg per kg) MRL (mg per kg) MRL exceedance after allowing for measurement uncertainty Sent to FSA for consideration
3913/2023 Lean turkey mince UK BAC (sum) 0.3 0.1 Yes No

Pulses (dahls or lentils)

Sample ID Food Country of origin Pesticide detected Residue detected (mg per kg) MRL (mg per kg) MRL exceedance after allowing for measurement uncertainty Sent to FSA for consideration
0931/2023 Red split lentils UK procymidone 0.2 0.01* Yes No
1121/2023 Red lentils UK procymidone 0.02 0.01* No No

Soft citrus

Sample ID Food Country of origin Pesticide detected Residue detected (mg per kg) MRL (mg per kg) MRL exceedance after allowing for measurement uncertainty Sent to FSA for consideration
2922/2023 Tangerines South Africa amitraz (sum) 0.1 0.05* Yes No

Samples collected in GB must comply with GB set MRLs unless the goods are qualifying Northern Ireland goods and are subject to unfettered access under the terms of the UK Internal Market Act for 2020. For samples collected in Northern Ireland, under the Windsor Framework, certain aspects of EU food law, including compliance with EU set MRLs, continue to apply.

MRL adjusted to take into account the effect of processing. Further information can be found in the Issues arising in this report section.

Action taken by HSE

HSE wrote to:

  • the suppliers of all samples containing residues above the MRL
  • the authorities of the exporting countries of all samples containing residues above the MRL
  • the suppliers of GB and NI samples that contained residues of actives which do not have a plant protection product authorised for the crop they were detected in.
  • the Organics branch of Defra about samples that were labelled as organic and contained any residues of pesticides which is not permitted under retained organic regulation Commission Regulation (EC) No 889/2008
  • the suppliers and certification organisation of all organic samples containing any residues of pesticides which is not permitted under retained organic regulation Commission Regulation (EC) No 889/2008

Recipients of the letters are given 4 weeks to provide a statement for inclusion in the report. The Expert Committee on Pesticide Residues in Food reviews any replies received.

Supplier responses

None.