Pesticide residue control in the years 1986-1987

Results of analytical surveys on pesticide residue levels in foods for the years 1986-1987 are presented. Analytical data obtained from regional laboratories are tabulated in terms of various commodity groups (vegetables, fruit, cereals, processed or derived foodstuffs, other commodities, legumes, environmental samples, others) and are compared with maximum legal tolerances established by the ministerial ordinance (Italian Ministry of Health) 6.6. 1985. On a total number of 4715 determinations of classes of compounds or of single compounds made on 1601 commodities samples, only N 53 (1.1%) violative results appeared. No residue was found at levels exceeding regulatory limits or found in commodities where a tolerance had not been established for a specific pesticide/commodity combination.