Pesticide Residues and Organic Food: What the Analyses Say

How to Analyze Pesticides in Organic Foods?

Growing awareness of food safety and healthy eating is increasing the demand for organic foods. However, are foods sold as organic really pesticide-free? How are pesticide analyzes conducted and how much can consumers trust these tests?

What are Pesticide Residues?

Pesticides are chemicals used in the fight against agricultural pests. Although they protect plants from diseases and increase yields, the presence of these substances as residues in foods can pose a risk to human health. High levels of pesticides can cause hormone disorders, nervous system diseases and even cancer.

How to Analyze Pesticides in Organic Foods?

A series of laboratory analyzes are performed to determine whether organic foods contain pesticides. The main methods used in these analyzes are as follows:

1. Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS)

This method is used to decompose organic compounds in food and identify pesticide residues. Due to its high level of sensitivity, it can detect even trace amounts of pesticides.

2. Liquid Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (LC-MS/MS)

This method is used for the detection of water-soluble pesticides. It allows to precisely determine the levels of pesticide residues in food.

3. Enzyme Linked Immuno Sorbent Assay (ELISA)

The ELISA test, a faster and more economical method, is used to determine the presence of specific pesticide groups.

Organic Certification and Pesticide Controls

For a food to be certified as organic, it must meet certain criteria. The European Union Organic Agriculture Regulation and Turkish organic agriculture legislation require that these foods be tested in authorized laboratories. All stages of the certification process, from farm to fork, are subject to strict supervision.

How are pesticide controls carried out on organic products?

Organic products should not contain pesticides, but controls are carried out due to factors such as cross-contamination. Here are the measures implemented in this process:

a) Field and Production Inspections

Soil transition: A field transitioning to organic farming is left for at least 2-3 years until it is free of previous chemical residues.
Control of neighboring fields: Buffer zones are created to prevent wind-borne pesticide contamination from nearby conventional agricultural land.

b) Pesticide Analysis

Organic products are subjected to pesticide analysis in authorized laboratories. In these analyzes:

Synthetic pesticide residues are searched.
Pesticide limits are determined (LOQ - Limit of Quantification).
Residues detected at low levels are examined. If pesticides are found above the limit values, the certificate may be revoked.

c) Production and Processing Controls

Organic products are prevented from mixing with conventional products during processing .
Contamination risks are minimized in packaging and storage processes .

Nano-lab Laboratories Group continues to provide services within the scope of Food Analysis. We also provide services in Pesticide Analysis.

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