In most countries, fresh produce sold at local markets is usually not analyzed for agricultural chemical residues as export products are, which raises concerns about the perceived safety levels of local food supplies in contrast with exported products. The aim of this study was to determine pesticide residue levels in fruits and vegetables sold at two of the biggest fresh produce markets in Africa. A total of 199 fruit and vegetable samples were collected between 2012 and 2014 and analyzed for 74 pesticides commonly used in the horticultural sector. Of the samples analyzed, 91% were compliant with set maximum residue levels (MRLs). The remaining samples either contained unregistered chemicals (8%) or exceeded set MRL values (1%). Products containing more than one pesticide residue constituted 4.02% of all samples tested. Imazalil and iprodione were found to be the most frequently detected pesticides (12 samples each). Boscalid, endosulfan, profenofos, and procymidone were associated with the most noncompliance, including exceeding MRL values or being unregistered for the specific crop. The establishment of a national pesticide monitoring program is essential for the country and would ensure that pesticides are used in accordance with good agricultural practices.
Six years of pesticide residue data from fresh produce destined for the export market were analyzed for the period 2009 to 2014. A total of 37,838 fruit (99.27%) and vegetable (0.73%) data sets analyzed for the presence of 73 pesticides were compared. Pesticides were detected on 56.46% of samples, of which 0.78% had multiple residues. Noncompliances detected were because of the use of unregistered pesticides (0.73%), values that exceeded established maximum residue levels (MRLs) (0.32%), or the combination of values that exceeded MRLs and the use of unregistered pesticide residues (0.003%). The most commonly detected pesticides that exceeded established MRLs were imazalil (37.71%), prochloraz (28.69%), and iprodione (5.74%). The unregistered pesticide most often found on grapes and avocados was also imazalil (62.23%) and, on nectarines and avocados, diphenylamine (11.15%). Exceedances of MRL values were mostly associated with oranges (43.44%), avocados (27.87%), grapefruits (7.38%), and lemons (6.56%). Residual pesticide monitoring on fruits and vegetables is a key tool to ensure conformity with regulatory requirements and compliance with good agricultural practices and the trade requirements set by the importing country.
Food is likely to be one of the major pathways through which people are exposed to endocrine disrupting chemicals. With the exception of residual effects, there are concerns that a number of naturally occurring and synthetic chemicals exert adverse effects upon endocrine systems in wild life and humans. The current study reported on selected pesticide concentrations and the total estrogenic activity of fruit and vegetables using the recombinant Yeast Estrogen Screen (YES) and T47D-KBluc reporter gene assays. A total of 53 food samples (27 fruit and 26 vegetables) from Joburg and Tshwane Fresh Produce Markets (in South Africa) were analysed. Of these 17 contained one to three different pesticide residues with a concentration ranging between 0.01 and 0.68 mg/kg, where-as in the rest of the samples no residues were detected. All pesticides detected except in one sample were below the maximum residue level (MRL), but others were unauthorised for use in specified fruit and vegetables. Estrogenic activity was detected in 26.4% (14 samples) of the samples tested, and the estradiol equivalents ranged from 0.007 to 2pg/g. Although the estrogenic activity was low, it may contribute to adverse health effects. Continuous monitoring for pesticides in fruit and vegetables is important, in view of the unauthorised pesticides detected in produce from South Africa and the endocrine 2 disrupting chemical activity found.
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