Pulse Brain · Growing Health Evidence Index
Tier 1 — Meta-analysis / systematic reviewPeer-reviewed

Pesticide residues in food and human exposure in South Asia: systematic review

Narayan, S. et al.

2023

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Summary

This systematic review consolidates peer-reviewed evidence on pesticide residue contamination in food commodities and consequent human exposure within South Asian countries, published in Environmental Monitoring and Assessment (2023). The paper likely characterises which pesticides and food types are most implicated, evaluates the proportion of samples exceeding regulatory MRLs, and assesses dietary exposure risk using established hazard metrics. As a regional synthesis, it provides a structured evidence base for understanding the scale and nature of pesticide exposure through diet in a heavily agricultural region with rapidly evolving pesticide use patterns.

UK applicability

The findings are not directly applicable to UK conditions, given differences in regulatory frameworks, permitted pesticides, and food systems; however, the review is relevant to UK import risk assessment, supply chain due diligence for South Asian food products, and comparative policy work on MRL harmonisation.

Key measures

Pesticide residue concentrations (mg/kg); MRL exceedance rates (%); estimated daily intake (EDI); hazard quotient (HQ) or hazard index (HI); food commodity types affected

Outcomes reported

The review synthesised evidence on the prevalence and concentrations of pesticide residues detected in food commodities across South Asian countries, and assessed the associated levels of human dietary exposure. It likely reported exceedance rates relative to maximum residue limits (MRLs) and estimated health risk indices.

Theme
Nutrition & health
Subject
Food safety & contaminants
Study type
Systematic Review
Study design
Systematic review
Source type
Peer-reviewed study
Status
Published
Geography
South Asia
System type
Food supply chain
Catalogue ID
XL0677

Topic tags

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