Monitoring of Pesticide Residues in Imported Fruits and Vegetables in United Arab Emirates during 2019

Abstract

An accurate, rapid and reliable method for the simultaneous determination of pesticide multi-residues in 9724 samples imported fresh fruits and vegetables by a method of liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry LC–ESI (+)-MS/MS operating in multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) mode, two transitions for each compound in the presence of internal standards and modified quick, easy, cheap, effective, rugged, safe (QuEChERS) method was used for the determination of 343 pesticides.
 The performance of the analytical method was validated in accordance with EU SANCO guidelines (SANTE/12682/2019) for monitoring pesticide multi-residues. Residues of 93 compounds, mainly fungicides and insecticides, were detected in 3548 samples.
 In this article, The potential applications of Liquid Chromatography and Tandem Mass spectrometry (MS/MS) techniques on monitoring pesticide residues of target samples of imported fruits and vegetables in United Arab Emirates (UAE) during the year 2019 is reported. The need for a continuous monitoring program of pesticide residues in imported fruits and vegetables is highly recommended and continuous process control for health and safety practices and to adhere to international agricultural and environmental policies of the country.

Pesticide Residues in Vegetables and Fruits from Farmer Markets and Associated Dietary Risks

“…Pesticide residues in fruit and vegetable samples have been reported in many countries including Croatia [12], South America [13], Turkey [14], Poland [9], China [15], Jordan [16], UAE [17,18], Kenya [19], and South Korea [20]. The chronic effects of exposure from contaminated food intake are mostly unknown.…”

Detection and Optimization of Multiple Pesticides Residues in Honey Using Liquid Chromatography Tandem Mass Spectrometry

“…The methods of extraction, clean-up, detection and quantification of 100 pesticides (or their metabolites) from the honey matrix were optimized and validated in compliance with the document SANTE/12682/2019 [25] entitled "Guidance document on analytical quality control and method validation procedures for pesticide residue analysis in food and feed", which was issued by the European Commission Directorate General for Health and Food Safety, and became effective on January 1, 2020 by evaluating the following performance parameters: linearity, accuracy (expressed as recovery percentage), intermediate precision (relative standard deviation <20.0%).…”

Monitoring of Pesticide Residues in Imported Datepalm Fruits in United Arab Emirates

“…In order to ensure food safety for consumers and protect human health, many organizations and countries around the world have established maximum residue limits (MRLs) for pesticides in food commodities [2,3,4]. The MRL is the extreme level of a pesticide residue (expressed in mg•kg −1…”

“…The Ministry of Climate Change and Environment (MCCE), United Arab Emirates(UAE)is keen to ensure that all foodstuffs and products in the country, both domestically produced and imported, are safe for consumption and to strengthen infrastructure at Quarantine stations to prevent the entry of food commodities which have pesticide residues above the MRLs, Testing/Certification of pesticide residue in export/import consignments [4,5].…”