Pesticide Residues in Food

The data set shows pesticide residues in different foods types, presented in 2 different table formats. The BNA format focusses on details of individual samples including brand name and origin and shows the pesticides detected if any. The SUM format focuses on the analysis and results across the set of samples, including detail of all the pesticides sought but not found.

The UK carry out a national monitoring programme of pesticide residue testing, organised annually into surveys of different foods. Results for each quarter are considered in detail by the Expert Committee on Pesticide Residues in Food (PRiF) and their reports contain detailed commentary on the results in the tables. The reports are available at https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/pesticide-residues-in-food-results-of-monitoring-programme#quarterly-reports

As part of the programme each year 4 or 5 surveys are selected as “rolling reports” where one would expect there to be a higher rate of non-compliance to test more frequently. These results are initially published in the BNA format only and in due course included in the appropriate quarterly results.

Finally results are compiled into an annual set, alongside the publication of the PRiF’s annual report at https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/pesticide-residues-in-food-results-of-monitoring-programme#annual-reports---expert-committee-on-pesticide-residues-in-food-(prif)

If you have any queries regarding the results within the tables, please contact:

Helena Cooke | Pesticides Policy| Health & Safety Executive Chemicals Regulation Division, Mallard House, Kings Pool, 3 Peasholme Green, York YO1 7PX Tel: +44 (0) 203 028 1141 e-mail: helena.cooke@hse.gov.uk