Assessment of pesticide contamination in pomegranates: A multivariate approach and health risk evaluation

Pesticide residues in pomegranates pose a significant food safety concern, particularly given the rising global consumption of this fruit. This study monitored 316 pesticide residues in 342 pomegranate samples from Turkey's three primary pomegranate production regions using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. Pesticide residues were detected in 72.8% of the samples, with 40 different pesticides identified, 15 of which were unauthorized. Spirotetramat, acetamiprid, and fludioxonil were among the most frequently detected, with concentrations exceeding the maximum residue levels set by the European Union in 40.6% of the contaminated samples. Multivariate analysis revealed strong correlations between specific pesticide pairs, suggesting common usage patterns. The chronic hazard index was 0.0132 for adults and 0.0403 for children, indicating no significant chronic health risks. The acute health risks for all pesticides remained below acceptable limits, except for acetamiprid, which exceeded the threshold (1.186) for children. However, the presence of non-approved pesticides, such as omethoate, raises concerns about regulatory compliance. Continued surveillance and risk assessment are essential to minimize potential health risks, particularly for vulnerable populations consuming pomegranates.