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Imprint
Analysis of pesticide residue data of food samples from organic and conventional agriculture
Project
Project code: 02OE677
Contract period: 15.05.2004
- 31.01.2005
Budget: 26,145 Euro
Purpose of research: Basic research
The present study contains an analysis of pesticide residue data of food samples from 1994-2002. It was performed to describe and quantify differences between organic and non-organic fresh fruits and vegetables. The samples had been analysed by order of German food traders. Surveillance and follow up enforcement sampling are distinguished, according a strategy of the European Commission. 3521 samples with 4013 results were analysed in this way. From the total of 3521 samples, 1.3 % of the non-organic versus 0.2 % of the organic samples exceed the maximum residue Levels (MRL). In 33,7 % of the non-organic versus 2.9 % of the organic samples residues below the MRL were found. 96.6 % of the organic food samples versus 65.0 % of the non-organic food samples contained no detectable pesticide residues. The mean pesticide burden of the samples declared as organic was calculated to 0,0023 mg/kg, for the non-organic samples to 0,0554 mg/kg. This results to a factor of about 24 of lower mean pesticide burden of organic products. Some studies of the official German food monitoring of years 2002 and 2003 as well as studies from Europe and United States show similar results with respect to the differences between organic and non-organic food samples. The burden of a sample by several different residue substances a the same time (multiple pesticide residue burden) is not covered by food residue law. The samples of fruits and vegetables investigated in this study showed clear differences with respect to multiple residue burden. 0.48 % of samples declared as organic showed multiple residue burden whereas it were 13.59 % of non-organic samples. This is a factor of about 28 of lower multiple pesticide residue burden of organic products compared to non-organic samples.
Section overview
Subjects
- Crop Production
- Crop Protection
- Arboriculture
- Vegetable Gardening
- Agroecology
- Physiology of Nutrition
- Food Chemistry
Framework programme
Federal Organic Farming Scheme and other forms of sustainable agriculture (BÖLN)
