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AgVetLink: Number 63, August 2007

Food Residue Surveillance Programme

NZFSA has received the results from the Food Residue Surveillance Programme for the 2005-06 and 2006-07 periods. For the majority of crops sampled, residues complied with the New Zealand (Maximum Residue Limits of Agricultural Compounds) Food Standard (MRL standard). However, for a few crops (celery and spinach) there were significant non-compliances with the standard. Non-compliances also occurred in cucumbers, tomatoes, carrots, mandarins and apricots.

Non-compliances

The concerning aspect of the significant non-compliances was how widespread they were in the context of the small sample used in the survey. In most cases the products were used 'off-label', and while the conditions of registration for most products allow off-label use, they make it the responsibility of the grower to manage residues. Although celery and spinach are considered minor use crops, it appears end users are not taking sufficient care to ensure compliance with the MRL standard.

No dietary intake concern

None of the non-compliances were of dietary intake concern. Some were related to approved label uses and NZFSA will be investigating whether the good agricultural practice of these uses needs to be reconsidered.

However, New Zealand’s reputation in relation to national and international consumers is dependent on producing crops complying with relevant requirements (regulatory and non-regulatory) and, as such, there is the potential for damage from this type of non-compliance.

NZFSA and Horticulture NZ have discussed these non-compliances and have agreed in principle to a number of actions to reduce non-compliances in the future and to deal with the incidents as they arise.