A closer look at pesticides in food

Published:
Updated:
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Food authorities in EU countries monitor pesticide residues in food to ensure they do not exceed EU limits, and prevent health risks.

125,000 food samples were collected in the EU, Iceland and Norway in 2024 (the latest reporting year) covering food from all continents.

98.8% of the samples from the EU-coordinated sampling subset, which aims to represent the EU market, were compliant with legal limits. The percentage of compliant samples has been very high and stable over the past 10 years, with an average of 99.18%

Origin of the samples

  • 75.9% produced in the EU
  • 4% of unknown origin
  • 20.1% from outside of the European Economic Area

What happens when a sample is non-compliant?

  • STOP: Authorities can stop a food batch at the EU border
  • SANCTION: Authorities can impose penalties such as fines
  • WITHDRAW: In serious cases, authorities can take products off the market and/or customers are warned or reimbursed

Would you like to know more?

Access additional data on pesticide residues in food on EFSA’s interactive tool that allows you to browse the data in charts and graphs.

Pesticides