ABSTRACT
The Pesticide Manual lists 860 pesticides, most of which are still sold worldwide.1 A considerable volume of registration data is submitted by the applicant for statutory approval, which relies on the determination of the concentration of the pesticide and associated metabolites and degradation products in a wide variety of matrices and their structural characterization. Another driver for the analysis of pesticide residues in food is to generate the monitoring data needed to back up the statutory approval process. Checks are carried out to ensure that no unexpected residues are occurring in crops and that residues do not exceed the statutory maximum residue levels (MRLs). Such surveillance is carried out as part of national and international programs and also by the food industry and their suppliers to demonstrate ‘‘due diligence’’ under food safety legislation. Following notification of an MRL violation, brand owners may choose to sample and analyze foodstuffs on a ‘‘positive release’’ basis to ensure that the materials are compliant before distribution. While laboratories undertaking the pesticide residue analysis for a survey might have up to 1 month to report their findings, a much more rapid approach to analysis is required for positive release situations (e.g., 24 h).
