Find out which pesticide residues are present in your product
Do you work with agricultural raw materials or food products? Then you’ll want to know whether pesticide residues are present and what the analysis results mean for your product.
A pesticide residue analysis tests a product for traces of crop protection products. The results provide you with a factual basis for product control, supplier evaluation, and residue monitoring.
Depending on the product, maximum residue limits (MRLs) may apply. An MRL specifies the maximum amount of a particular residue that may be present in or on a product.
Broad Screening or Targeted Analysis
The right approach depends on your research question.
With a multi-residue analysis, various active ingredients can be determined in a single test. This is relevant when you want to broadly screen a product for potential pesticide residues.
Do you already know which substance or group of substances is the focus? Then a targeted analysis may be a better fit. Some pesticides require a separate analytical method and are not automatically covered by a standard multi-residue test.
Therefore, discuss the following in advance:
- which product you want to test
- the origin of the product
- which substances or groups of substances may be relevant
- what you need the analysis results for
For which products is residue testing relevant?
Depending on the available analysis and your research question, pesticide testing may be relevant for a wide range of food products, agricultural products, and supply chain samples.
These include, among others:
- fruits and vegetables
- herbs and spices
- coffee and tea
- grains
- cocoa
- nuts, seeds, and kernels
- oil-containing products
- eggs
- baby food
- animal feed
- crops and plants
- soil and growing media
- water
Which pesticides are relevant varies by product matrix. That’s why we tailor the analysis to the product and the question you want to answer.
Choose an analysis that suits the product and its origin
A pesticide does not behave the same way in every product matrix. A high-fat matrix may place different demands on the analysis than a dry or water-rich matrix.
Factors such as the product matrix, calibration, reporting limit, and measurement uncertainty can all play a role in the measurement and interpretation. Product type, cultivation method, origin, and previous analysis results can also determine which substances are relevant.
Do you work with different crops, suppliers, or origins? If so, you can tailor the test protocol to each product stream.
For multi-residue testing, techniques such as LC-MS/MS and GC-MS/MS can be used. The method chosen depends on the product matrix and the substances you wish to test for.
This way, you don’t test as broadly as possible, but as specifically as necessary.
From Measurement Results to Product Assessment
An analysis report tells you which residues were detected and at what concentrations. This raises the practical question: what do the results mean for your product?
The measured values can be evaluated in relation to applicable MRLs. When a value is near a limit, the reporting limit and measurement uncertainty may also be relevant to the interpretation.
In addition to legal requirements, retailers and other customers may have additional specifications. Do you have a specific customer requirement? If so, please include it in your request.
This ensures that the testing not only aligns with the analysis but also with the decision you need to make about your product.
Gain insight through residue monitoring
A single analysis provides information about the sample tested. With periodic residue monitoring, you can track results across multiple testing points.
This allows you to build insight by product, supplier, or origin. You can use the results for:
- product inspection
- supplier evaluation
- purchasing decisions
- product release
- risk-based monitoring
- questions from customers and clients
Found an abnormal residue?
An abnormal result raises new questions.
How does the measured value compare to the relevant MRL? Does an additional customer specification play a role? Is a targeted additional analysis necessary?
Don’t just look at a single measurement value. The product matrix, origin, analytical method, and original research question are also relevant.
Our specialists will help you understand the analytical context and determine the appropriate next steps.
Need to have pesticide residues analyzed?
Do you want to test a product or raw material, evaluate a supplier, or review an analysis result in relation to MRLs and customer requirements? Discuss your product and research question with our specialists.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Pesticide residues are remnants of crop protection products that may remain in or on a product after application.
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MRL stands for maximum residue limit. This value indicates the maximum amount of a specific pesticide residue that may be present in or on a product.
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Multi-residue testing allows for the determination of various active ingredients within a single test protocol. The exact scope depends on the product matrix and the chosen method.
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The substances that can be tested depend on the product and the research question. In addition to broad screenings, targeted analyses are available for specific substances and groups of substances.
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In addition to statutory MRLs, retailers and other customers may apply additional specifications. Please indicate in your request which customer requirement is relevant so that we can determine what type of assessment is possible.