Pesticide Residue Testing, Radiation Testing & Bacterial Testing

Retained Regulation (EU) 2019/1793 requires increased controls on imports of fruits and vegetables originating from certain countries outside of the European Union. Consignments that are subject to these increased controls must undergo a documentary check. In addition to this, an identity check and physical examination must be carried out at varying frequencies as set out in the Regulation.

In cases where a physical examination takes place, a formal sample is taken from the consignment to be tested for a range of contaminants listed in the Regulation. The most common laboratory test required at present by the imported food office is a test for the presence of pesticide residues.

Retained Regulation (EU) 2019/1793 requires increased controls on imports of fruits and vegetables originating from certain countries outside of the European Union. Consignments that are subject to these increased controls must undergo a documentary check. In addition to this, an identity check and physical examination must be carried out at varying frequencies as set out in the Regulation.

In cases where a physical examination takes place, a formal sample is taken from the consignment to be tested for a range of contaminants listed in the Regulation. The most common laboratory test required at present by the imported food office is a test for the presence of pesticide residues

Microbiological analysis is required for both products of animal origin and products not of animal origin.

The most common microbiological test required at present is a test for Salmonella spp in betel leaves as required by Retained Regulation (EU) 2019/1793.

During the 2019/2020 financial year, microbiological analysis was carried out on:

• 10 consignments of products of animal origin (POAO).
• 2 consignments of products not of animal origin (PNAO) - detained pending results

During the 2020/2021 financial year, microbiological analysis was carried out on:

• 2 consignments of products of animal origin POAO.
• 5 consignments of products not of animal origin (PNAO) - detained pending results

Following the accident at the Fukushima nuclear power station on the 11th March 2011, the European Commission was informed that radionuclide levels in certain food products originating in Japan exceeded the action levels in food applicable in Japan.

This contamination was considered to possibly constitute a threat to public and animal health in the European Union. The European Commission therefore published Implementing Regulation (EU) No 297/2011 of the 25th March 2011 which imposed special conditions governing the import of feed and food originating in or consigned from Japan.

Commission Implementing Regulation 2016/6 (as amended) contains the most up-to-date import requirements applicable to imports of feed and food originating in or consigned from Japan. Article 10 of this Regulation sets out the official controls that are to be applied. This includes random physical checks, including laboratory analysis for the presence of Caesium-134 and Caesium-137 being carried out on consignments imported. Consignments that are tested remain detained for a maximum of five working days, pending the availability of the results of the laboratory analysis

Analysis is required for the following contaminants:

• Plastic kitchenware - Formaldehyde / Primary aromatic amines
• Pesticide analysis - dried products (e.g. tea)
• Mycotoxins
• Sulphur dioxide
• Chloramphenicol
• Veterinary residues
• Speciation testing
• Adulteration
• Nutrition and health claims
• Dangerous substances (DNP, DMMA)
• Heavy Metals
• Histamine Detection
• Dioxins
• PAHs
• Unauthorised GMOs
• Sudan Dyes

The above list of contaminants is not exhaustive and new testing requirements can be introduced at any point.