The use of pesticides and their residues in foods is supervised jointly by the authorities. The residue control programme is carried out in cooperation with municipal food control authorities (domestic products), Customs (EU's internal market and import products with regard to food products of non-animal origin) and Finnish National Authority for Welfare and Health Valvira (alcoholic beverages). Finnish Food Authority monitors pesticide residues also in domestic organic products and food products of animal origin. Pesticide use is monitored by ELY centres under the supervision of the Finnish Safety and Chemicals Agency (Tukes).
Few non-compliant products found
A total of 1,915 samples were analysed in the control of plant protection product (PPP) residues. Taking into account measurement uncertainty, the regulatory maximum residue level (MRL) permitted was exceeded in a total of 66 samples (3.4%). There were 8 samples (1.3%) in non-compliance with regulations on organic farming. The competent food control authorities carried out the required control measures in respect of all non-compliant products.
Residues were found in 25 samples (4.3%) of 575 Finnish samples analysed. Since residue levels were below the MRLs, none of the samples of Finnish food were in non-compliance with food legislation. No unauthorised substances were found in organic unprocessed samples of plant or animal origin. Three PPP findings were made in processed samples of plant origin. One PPP finding was made in a third-country product. Origin of the PPP could not be clarified. Two Finnish residue findings were due to shortcomings in segregation, when ordinary and organic ingredients were processed on the same lines and inadequate labelling had resulted in the ingredients becoming mixed. Food manufacturers must pay attention to segregation and labelling particularly when producing ordinary and organic products on the same lines. The samples in non-compliance with regulations on organic farming were, however, in compliance with food regulations.
For imported (both from EU countries and from third countries) products, 62% of the samples contained PPP residues. Residues most frequently occurred in fresh fruits and berries as well as in fresh vegetables. Of the goods, 66 of the batches (6.4%) proved to be in non-compliance, containing one or several PPPs of which exceeded MRL. In addition, five batches of organic products contained residues not authorised in organic products. The distribution of all non-compliant products to the food chain was halted and follow-up samples of the following batches were taken before allowing the products to be placed on the market. Non-compliant product batches are usually destroyed. Most non-compliances resulting in a ban on imports or on placing on the market were found in vegetables imported from Asia. Of the non-compliant batches, 32 were foods imported directly into Finland from outside the EU and 34 were internal market foods, some of which originated outside the EU. This indicates that not all third countries are capable of complying with agricultural practices in compliance with the EU’s MRL requirements. On the other hand, product batches from third countries arriving through the EU are recorded in EU intra-Community trade import statistics, which is why in reality non-compliances are more pronounced for third countries than these figures indicate.
Control measures
For all non-compliant products, the competent food control authorities carried out the measures specified in the regulations. The distribution of all non-compliant imported products to the food chain was halted and follow-up samples of the following batches were taken before allowing the products to be placed on the market. The batches of non-compliant products were destroyed or returned under regulatory control to the country of origin.
Recall measures from consumers were taken in respect of those batches that had reached the market and which on the basis of risk assessment were found to pose a potential risk to consumers (the acute toxic reference value, ARfD, was exceeded or residues of an unauthorised PPP in the EU were found in the product). These were honey pomelo from China and basil from Israel. On the basis of risk assessment, notification of 18 non-compliant batches was sent to other member states through the EU’s Rapid Alert System for Food and Feed (RASFF). Residues at MRL level or slightly exceeding the MRL for which the declarant received a warning were found in 48 batches.
Control of PPP residuals is also part of the control of cross-compliance in accordance with the EU’s common agricultural policy (CAP). If non-compliance in PPP residues is discovered in Finnish food samples, ELY centre inspectors, where necessary, carry out controls under the guidance of the Finnish Safety and Chemicals Agency (Tukes) of the use of PPPs on farms. The control of farms that have applied for agricultural aid continues to expand to cover cross-compliance.
OIVA results
In addition to PPP residue analyses, municipal food control authorities carried out a total of 32 inspections of the adequacy and functionality of in-house control of PPP residues within the framework of the OIVA system (line 17.12). Control sites for PPP residues have been selected in the OIVA system on a risk basis based on effectiveness and extent. In OIVA inspections in 2018, only A grades were given, i.e. no shortcomings were found in PPP management. It can be concluded from the results that there have been very few inspections of PPP residues in relation to the number of assumed sites for inspection: Have the sites to be inspected been correctly identified, are the indicative restrictions in the guide too great, is the grading scale being correctly used? Further training and guidance is needed to improve control effectiveness and compliance. This will be promoted among other things with the help of a contamination and PPP residue network.