The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has published the latest
report on pesticide residues in food in the European Union, providing
insights into the levels of residue found in a selection of products
consumed in the region.

Of the total 96,302 samples analyzed in 2019, 96.1% fell within legally
permitted levels. For the subset of 12,579 samples analyzed as part of
the EU-coordinated control program (EUCP), 98% were within legal limits.

The EUCP analyzed samples randomly collected from 12 food products,
including apples, head cabbages, lettuce, peaches, spinach,
strawberries, tomatoes, oat grain, barley grain, wine (red and white),
cow's milk, and swine fat. Of those samples analyzed, these are their
findings:

* 6,674 or 53% were found to be free of quantifiable levels of residues;
* 5,664 or 45% contained one or more residues in concentrations below
or equal to permitted levels; and
* 241 or 2% contained residues exceeding the legal maximum of which 1%
led to legal actions.

The coordinated program covers similar products on a three-year
rotation, showing upward or downward trends for specific goods. Compared
to 2016, the exceedance rate fell for peaches (from 1.9% to 1.5%),
lettuce (2.4% to 1.8%), apples (2.7% to 2.1%) and tomatoes (2.6% to
1.7%). Exceedances rose for strawberries (1.8% to 3.3%), head cabbages
(1.1% to 1.9%), wine grapes (0.4% to 0.9%) and swine fat (0.1% to 0.3%).
As in 2016, no exceedances were found in cow's milk.

Pesticides in food: latest figures published | European Food Safety
Authority (europa.eu)
[www.efsa.europa.eu]