The aim of the focus campaign was to obtain a representative and reliable nationwide database for assessing consumer exposure and compliance with the applicable maximum residue levels for pesticides in selected foods.
849 samples from all over Austria were analysed. 25 samples were rejected:
- 25 samples were objected to because maximum pesticide residue levels were exceeded beyond doubt. Based on the expert exposure assessment, one sample of black-eyed beans (origin Madagascar) was assessed as "harmful to health" and seven samples (3 x basmati rice - origin 2 x Pakistan, 1 x India; 1 x mandarins - origin Turkey; 1 x dill, 1 x parsnip, 1 x celery - origin Austria) were assessed as "unfit for human consumption"
- Residues/contaminants above the analytical limit of determination were confirmed in 31 food samples from organic farming. In one of these 31 samples, the maximum residue level was clearly exceeded and a complaint was raised accordingly