Pesticide residue monitoring of Brazilian fruit for export 2006-2007.

Brazil ranks 8th in the world for tropical fresh fruit production and exports almost 60% to Europe. A nationwide monitoring program "National Program Residues of Contaminants in Food (PNCRC)" checks compliance with the maximum residue levels, guaranteeing the quality of these commodities. Fruit samples (112) were analyzed between January 2006 and June 2007. Approximately 140 pesticides were evaluated by a multi-residue method using GC and HPLC methodologies. Dithiocarbamates were determined through conversion into carbon disulfide (CS2). A total of 76.8% of the samples were negative, with residues below the limit of detection. With reference to Brazilian legislation, 23.2% of the samples were positive (>MRL and not permitted for the crop (NPC), but only 4.4% were contaminated with multiple residues. A total of 14.3% of samples exceeded European Union MRLs. Samples of figs and persimmons had the highest violation rates. Action plans are being developed, with the cooperation of producers, to reduce pesticide residues.