Summary
This annual surveillance report by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) collates and analyses pesticide residue monitoring data submitted by EU member states for the 2022 reference year. It provides a comprehensive overview of residue occurrence across a wide range of food products, evaluating compliance with EU maximum residue limits and assessing cumulative consumer exposure. The report serves as a key regulatory and public health reference document for EU-wide pesticide risk management.
UK applicability
Following Brexit, the UK operates its own pesticide residue monitoring programme under the Health and Safety Executive and Committees on Toxicity, and is no longer directly bound by EU MRLs; however, this report remains relevant for benchmarking purposes and for understanding residue patterns in EU-origin food imports entering the UK market.
Key measures
Percentage of samples compliant with MRLs; frequency of residue detections (%); number of samples exceeding MRLs; cumulative dietary exposure estimates; number of pesticide substances detected
Outcomes reported
The report documents the prevalence, levels, and compliance of pesticide residues detected across a broad range of food commodities sampled throughout EU member states. It assesses whether residue levels fall within legally established maximum residue limits (MRLs) and evaluates cumulative dietary exposure risks to consumers.
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