Survey of pesticide residues in table grapes: Determination of processing factors, intake and risk assessment

Abstract

The differences in residue pattern between Italy and South Africa, the main exporters of table grapes to the Danish market, were investigated. The results showed no major differences with respect to the number of samples with residues, with residues being found in 54–78% of the samples. Exceedances of the European Union maximum residue limit (MRL) were found in five samples from Italy. A number of samples were rinsed to study the possible reduction of residues. For copper, iprodione, procymidone and dithiocarbamates a significant effect of rinsing was found (20–49% reduction of residues). However, no significant effect was found for organophosphorus pesticides and pyrethroids, whereas the number of samples with residues of benzilates, phenylamids and triazoles was insufficient to demonstrate any significant effects. An intake calculation showed that the average intake from Italian grapes was 3.9 µg day⁻¹ for pesticides and 21 µg day⁻¹ for copper. Correspondingly, the intakes from South African grapes were 2.6 and 5.7 µg day⁻¹, respectively. When the total exposure of pesticides from grapes were related to acceptable daily intake, expressed as the sum of Hazard Quotients, the exposure were approximately 0.5% for Italian samples and 1% for South African samples.

Keywords:

• Pesticide residues
• copper
• monitoring programme
• table grapes
• processing factors
• rinsing
• intake calculations
• Hazard Quotient

Acknowledgements

The authors thank those who contributed to this work: Trine Sørensen, Merete Eis Lund and their co-workers at the regional food laboratories in Copenhagen and Odense.