[Violations of mrls for pesticide residues in food reported for risk assessment according to RASFF procedures in Poland].

The results of risk assessment to evaluate the potential risk from food products of plant origin in cases of violations of maximum residue limits for pesticides (MRLs) have been presented. According to the rules set in the RASFF any violation of legally established limit should undergo the risk assessment to allow quantitative approach in hazard evaluation for consumers. The basis of risk assessment have been presented as tool for risk management in the official food control. In case of MRLs violations the risk was assessed for general population as well as for small children as the most vulnerable part of the population. Since beginning of the RASFF in Poland--since mid of 2003 till the end of 2007--148 notifications of MRLs violations underwent risk assessment procedures. This means 2.5% of the overall number of analyzed samples. However, as much as 0.39% of the samples taken for analysis posed a real, considerable risk for consumers health, and the small children seem to be the group at greatest risk.