Pesticide-residue-testing.com

The National Food Residue Database-
information on the safety of our food
The National Food Residue Database (NFRD) is a comprehensive publicly accessible
resource that presents data on contaminant residues in a broad range of foods in
Ireland. The information is readily available via . The NFRD has
become a reliable, comprehensive and easy-to-use resource on chemical contaminants
in food for the benefit of the food industry, researchers, regulatory agencies and the
general public. This report summarises the key findings from the database between
1998 and 2005. Project code FS018, Final Update
The unique feature of the NFRD is that it collects, Two groups of substances are tested for under this interprets and presents data on chemical residues in programme: Group A - substances having anabolic foods in a meaningful way to a variety of effect and unauthorised substances and Group B - audiences. The database is an ongoing resource containing up to date data from all of the relevant The results for the years 1998-2005 indicate that controlling authorities in Ireland, making it a one- there was minimal use of anabolic steroids and stop-shop for data on chemical residues in food. unauthorised substances. In 1998, one bovine sample tested positive for a nortestosterone and one sheep and one bovine sample tested positive for information from the national monitoring furazolidone. In 1999, one bovine sample was programmes, relevant surveys and studies as well found positive for furazolidone. A somewhat as a library of information on legislation. In higher rate was recorded in 2005, with six animals addition to the website the NFRD team compiles testing positive for furazolidone, however the information and issues annual reports and levels found were below the action limit for the Residue testing
With regard to Group B substances the major occurrence of non-compliances was with antimicrobials and the levels varied with species antimicrobials in horses between 1998 and 2000 but levels significantly reduced thereafter. Anthelmintics and carbamates/pyrethroids were found sporadically in bovine, ovine, equine and milk samples. In 2004, anticoccidial feed additives were found in 20% of poultry samples tested monitoring plan to test foods of animal origin for (nicarbazin), however the levels reduced to 7% in the presence of residues of prohibited substances, 2005. Laslocid, another anticoccidial, was found in veterinary drugs, feed additives, pesticides, heavy 2 samples of eggs and 1 sample of ovine tissue in metals, mycotoxins and other contaminants. In 2004. Carbadox was found in porcine samples in addition, the Department of the Marine is 1999 and 2001, but not in subsequent years. All responsible for monitoring residues in aquaculture other incidences of non-compliances for veterinary products and local authorities test meat from drugs/contaminants were found as single samples Knowledge at your fingertips – www.relayresearch.ie of the Environmental Radioactivity Surveillance Fish and shellfish
Programme, 1997-2002, indicate that levels were Farmed finfish are monitored by the Department of well below the maximum annual dose permissible Communications, Marine and Natural Resources for drinking water, milk, dairy products and meat. for presence of prohibited substances, veterinary The results from the Radioactive Monitoring drugs, pesticides, heavy metals, dyes and other Programme of the Irish Marine Environment, 1998- contaminants. The results of the testing 2002 indicate that the doses incurred by people programme for the years 1997 to 2005 indicate that living in Ireland today as a result of routine the level of mercury and trace metals was generally operations at Sellafield are small and do not low, with the exception of one sample taken in 2003 and two samples in 2005. The contamination with mercury was found in dogfish destined for Dioxin levels
bait and therefore posed no threat to human health. The FSAI has carried out surveillance studies on Regulations do not specify limits for copper, zinc the levels of dioxins, PCBs and PBDEs in various or hydrocarbons, however all samples tested were foods and food products. In milk, the levels of below agreed industry standards (OSPAR countries dioxins and PCBs decreased during the period 1991 to 2001 and are lower than the levels permitted under EU regulation. In farmed salmon, the mean All shellfish tested for mercury, cadmium and lead level of dioxins and PCBs was at 50% of the were within the acceptable limits. Shellfish specified maximum level. Only one third of fish samples were also found to be within agreed levels oil samples were below the maximum level specified for dioxins in fish oil. However, only Monitoring pesticides in foods
approximately 10% of the market for fish oil capsules is supplied by brands that had levels The monitoring programme for pesticides in foods above the maximum levels allowable. Eggs from is undertaken by DAF on behalf of FSAI. It aims different production systems - battery, free range, to ensure that consumers are not exposed to barn - had similar levels of dioxins and PCBs (< unacceptable levels of pesticide residues; that 30% of the permissible level). Levels of dioxins in authorised pesticides are applied correctly and other foodstuffs were also found to be relatively unauthorised pesticides are detected. The programme covers fruit and vegetables, cereals, meat, milk, dairy products, eggs and honey. The future of the database
The future of the database is secure for another Highlights from the findings – 1994-2004 three years through funding from the Department Each year samples of fruit and vegetables were of Agriculture and Food. The researchers will analysed for up to 118 different pesticides in 77 continue to add data to the NFRD and, in addition, individual commodities, both home produced and will expand its use by applying the data to assess imported. For each pesticide a maximum residue the exposure, and risk, to humans from chemical limit (MRL) has been laid down under Council approximately half of the samples tested; however Additional information:
90% were below the relevant MRL. The portion of Website:
samples containing residues exceeding the MRLs ranged from 3% to 5%, varying with year of Read: NFRD Report 2005 and 2006 available
from annmarie,.sherry@teagasc.ie Teagasc (2001) Food Residue Database, final Cereals were tested for up to 118 pesticides. Residue levels were minimal with only one sample exceeding the MRL over the period of 6 years. Contact: Dr. Michael O’Keeffe, Food Safety
Department, Ashtown Food Research Centre,
Foods of animal origin including meat, poultry, game, dairy produce, milk and eggs were tested for up to 55 pesticides. No pesticides in excess of the relevant MRLs were found in any of the foods Radioactivity monitoring and surveillance
The Radiological Protection Institute of Ireland is Food under the National Development Plan 2000-2006. responsible for monitoring ionizing radiation in the environment and radioactive contamination of food. The main foods tested include drinking Issued by Derbhile Timon, RELAY, March2007 water, milk and other foodstuffs. The key results For more information on food research contact the RELAY office T: 025 42321, F: 025 42293, Email: info@relay.teagasc.ie

Source: http://www.pesticide-residue-testing.com/resource/3707.pdf