[Monitoring and official control of pesticide residues in foodstuffs in Poland in 2004].

Poland, as a Member State of the European Union, is obliged to establish efficient system of food control allowing assessment of health quality of food products for general population as well as for high risk groups, like infants and toddlers. In case of pesticide residues this task is realized by carrying out programs of monitoring and official control of foodstuffs in order to check compliance with Maximum Residue Levels set up by Polish Regulation of Minister of Health on maximum residue levels of pesticides in or on food. The Chief Sanitary Inspectorate is an authority responsible for above mentioned activities with essential participation of Department of Environmental Toxicology of National Institute of Hygiene. The analysis of food samples indicated in yearly developed plans of sampling, is carried out in 16 integrated local laboratories of National Sanitary Inspection. In 2004, 868 samples have been analyzed in system of monitoring and official control of foodstuffs in Poland. The samples were taken in retail and wholesale. Among analyzed samples 67% were fresh or frozen fruit and vegetables, and 14% were baby food. The samples have been analyzed or presence of over 50 pesticides. In the year 2004 maximum residue levels have been exceeded in 14 samples (2%) of fruit, vegetables and cereals. All samples were of Polish origin, except two samples from Spain. In samples with violated MRLs the following pesticides have been found: Benomyl group, Maneb group, Endosulfan, Mecarbam, Hexachlorobenzene, and Methyl bromide. Additionally, 49 follow-up enforcement samples has been analyzed. In none of them MRLs violation have been found.