The European country with the highest share of import control samples above the the maximum residue limit (MRL) was Cyprus, with 17.07 percent of the samples exceeding the legal limit. This means that more than one out of six food samples imported from Cyprus had too much pesticide residue. Cyprus was followed by Portugal, Estonia, Slovakia, Belgium, and Croatia as the countries with the highest rates of samples above the MRL. In contrast, the country with the lowest share of samples above the MRL was Lithuania, with only 0.53 percent of the samples exceeding the legal limit.
Pesticide residues are the traces of chemicals that remain in or on food after they are used to protect crops from pests and diseases. They can pose health risks to consumers if they exceed the MRL, which is the highest level of a pesticide residue that is legally tolerated by the European Union (EU) regulations.
Share of import control food samples containing pesticide residue above the maximum residue limit (MRL) in Europe in 2021, by country of origin
Import control samples are food samples that are tested for pesticide residue levels by the authorities of the importing country. The samples are analyzed for pesticide residues and compared with the maximum residue limit (MRL) set by the EU legislation. If the samples exceed the MRL, the consignment may be rejected or destroyed.
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EFSA. (April 26, 2023). Share of import control food samples containing pesticide residue above the maximum residue limit (MRL) in Europe in 2021, by country of origin [Graph]. In Statista. Retrieved December 21, 2024, from https://www.statista.com/statistics/1413830/share-of-food-samples-containing-pesticide-residue-above-legal-limit-europe/
EFSA. "Share of import control food samples containing pesticide residue above the maximum residue limit (MRL) in Europe in 2021, by country of origin." Chart. April 26, 2023. Statista. Accessed December 21, 2024. https://www.statista.com/statistics/1413830/share-of-food-samples-containing-pesticide-residue-above-legal-limit-europe/
EFSA. (2023). Share of import control food samples containing pesticide residue above the maximum residue limit (MRL) in Europe in 2021, by country of origin. Statista. Statista Inc.. Accessed: December 21, 2024. https://www.statista.com/statistics/1413830/share-of-food-samples-containing-pesticide-residue-above-legal-limit-europe/
EFSA. "Share of Import Control Food Samples Containing Pesticide Residue above The Maximum Residue Limit (Mrl) in Europe in 2021, by Country of Origin." Statista, Statista Inc., 26 Apr 2023, https://www.statista.com/statistics/1413830/share-of-food-samples-containing-pesticide-residue-above-legal-limit-europe/
EFSA, Share of import control food samples containing pesticide residue above the maximum residue limit (MRL) in Europe in 2021, by country of origin Statista, https://www.statista.com/statistics/1413830/share-of-food-samples-containing-pesticide-residue-above-legal-limit-europe/ (last visited December 21, 2024)
Share of import control food samples containing pesticide residue above the maximum residue limit (MRL) in Europe in 2021, by country of origin [Graph], EFSA, April 26, 2023. [Online]. Available: https://www.statista.com/statistics/1413830/share-of-food-samples-containing-pesticide-residue-above-legal-limit-europe/
